Yes, this is true!  You may have heard that Tik Tok has been banned in the United States, but Tik Tok may not be gone forever.

The bill was passed on March 14 by the legislation. It is also known as the “restrict act.”  This bill wants to ban Tik Tok to protect Americans from Chinese authorities that can turn American users’ data over which can be used against them or for blackmailing American users. Another problem the United States politicians saw with the app was that the Chinese government can tilt the algorithm and propagandize, putting ideas against the U.S in American user’s heads. The reason the Chinese government is able to do this is because Bytedance, the company that owns Tik Tok was founded in Beijing.

Although the bill was in favor of most lawmakers, it has received much backlash from the users and influencers of the app saying this ban could destroy their businesses. But since the bill has been passed, people still have to wait if the legislation passes the bill and if Biden signs off on the bill.  If they do pass it, Bytedance will have six months to take it out of Americans hands after the bill is enacted. 

Carissa Catalan (11) was asked how this ban affected her and her thoughts about this and she replied, “It’s very tragic because I use Tik Tok everyday and spend so much time on it. I don’t know what I will do without it.”

An anonymous parent also filled out our questionnaire and said, “ I’m glad they are banning Tik Tok. All it ever does is promote violence and obscure and harmful trends. Tik Tok doesn’t let kids or teens socialize without it and be more engaging with friends.”

Even though this idea of banning Tik Tok is fresh in American’s minds, the U.S government has been warning Bytedance for years stating that Chinese snooping laws allows them to see all users private data on the app. But do not fear there is a way Tik Tok can stay. If the Chinese company sells their shares, then Tik Tok can keep running as long as it is not owned by an adversarial government.