How Will a Ban on Extremely Popular TikTok App affect Arizona?

If you work for the government or a government contractor, you're already aware of the reasons installing and using TikTok is a dubious choice.

This insanely popular social media program set the bar for the way we now consume social media.

The legacy socials have all implemented TikTok's short video format on their platforms: Reels on Facebook and Instagram and Shorts on YouTube, the platform that essentially created video sharing on the web.

The Federal Government's Ban on TikTok

The Federal government has made rumblings about banning TikTok in America for some time.

They're considering banning TikTok due to national security concerns. CBS News reports that the feds have been pushing this ban over fears that China is potentially exploiting the popular app, using it for spying, influencing public opinion, and tweaking the algorithm to reflect their values.

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TikTok's parent company, ByteDance is required to support Chinese intelligence, and that makes our government nervous.

A Landmark Decision on TikTok in America

The US House of Representatives passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. In what's being called a landmark decision, this could ultimately lead to a ban on TikTok.

The House has mandated that ByteDance, the company's parent company, divest its ownership in the United States version of the program or face a complete ban.

The bill passed the House with a 352 to 65 vote, and Arizona's social and political landscape is feeling the ripple effect of the decision.

READ: Will TikTok Get Banned in Arizona?

Representative Andy Biggs opposed the bill. Biggs believes the legislation doesn't go far enough to protect Americans from China's influence and collection of American data.

READ: Is Driving Barefoot Illegal in Arizona?

Representative Juan Ciscomani supported the bill but stated he had concerns about how the Chinese Communist Party is using the app as a tool for surveillance.

How Will the TikTok Ban Affect Arizona?

If the bill clears the Senate and is passed into law, there could be profound effects on Arizonans. Many businesses, like Sigfus Designs in Tucson, rely on TikTok for marketing.

For Arizonans, the implications are profound. If enacted, the ban could affect local businesses like Sigfus Designs in Tucson, which relies heavily on TikTok for marketing. The ban is also raising questions about free expression.

Where is the line between national security and individual rights? Congress is wrangling over privacy, rights, free speech, and protecting Americans from international influence.

How will the ban affect Arizona? Time will tell. This is just the beginning.

[Wikipedia.org | CBSNews.com | News.Yahoo.com | TucsonSentinal.com | Congress.gov ]