TikTok Ban: US Government Action Insufficient to Halt Chinese Data Collection

The US government has ordered federal agencies to remove TikTok from their government devices within 30 days, but this action alone will not stop the Chinese data-collecting company. According to Gizmodo, TikTok collects data from tens of thousands of apps that use its software development tools and trackers. This practice is not unique to TikTok, as American social media companies also expose user data to China. Data is also sold by data brokers to foreign companies, creating national security issues.

Even if TikTok is removed from government devices, data collection will continue because the internet is designed to spread information worldwide. Regulatory policies should apply to the entire platform and data governance to solve the problem, rather than focusing on one app.

Experts warn against the US government’s practice of blocking connection to a specific company, which echoes the “Great Firewall of China.” The aim is to control government devices and networks, but experts point out that this could lead to homogenous control of the internet. The solution to these problems can only be found by addressing the structure of the internet as a whole.

According to Daniel Kahn Gillmor, a senior technologist at the American Civil Liberties Union, focusing on TikTok and China does not solve underlying problems. He says, “do we not think that Facebook or Google are capable of being influenced by the Chinese government? They know a market when they see one. I think the pressure that’s building is basically a race to be seen as tough on China.”

This raises questions of privacy and national security. Additionally, it is difficult to regulate data brokers in the US who sell information to foreign companies.

There is also the question of whether such action is setting a dangerous precedent. If the US begins to block connection to a company or country, it looks a lot like what China does with the “Great Firewall of China.” Experts point out that this could lead to homogenous control of the internet.

The solution to these problems can only be found by addressing the structure of the internet as a whole. Regulatory policies should apply to the entire platform and data governance to solve the problem, rather than focusing on a specific app or company.

Ultimately, it is clear that privacy issues cannot be solved by simply removing an app. The US government must instead work towards a comprehensive solution to address national security and privacy issues for the entire internet platform. This will require appropriate regulatory policies to protect user data and reduce national security risks.

Ultimately, the removal of TikTok from government devices is a limited security measure that does not address the broader privacy and security issues related to the internet. The solution to these problems requires a holistic approach that applies to the entire platform and data governance to protect users and national security. Governments must work together to find solutions to these problems that go beyond simply removing a specific app or company.