Could TikTok be banned in the UK?
TikTok, one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, is facing potential bans in several countries, including the UK. The UK government has already taken steps to ban the app on government devices due to concerns about leaked government data and cybersecurity issues. MPs using the app on Parliamentary wifi will find the service blocked, but as of now, no broader bans for the public have been announced.
How many people in the UK use TikTok?
According to data released by Ofcom in 2022, the UK has approximately 23.3 million TikTok users, making it a significant market for the app. The data also revealed that TikTok was the fastest-growing source of news from 2020 to 2022. Despite its popularity for memes, dances, and trends, there are growing concerns over TikTok’s Chinese roots and its ties to the Chinese state, leading to questions about surveillance technology, personal data breaches, user safety, and lack of content regulation.
Will TikTok be banned in the US and other countries?
Legislation passed by the US House of Representatives aims to potentially ban TikTok unless it separates from its parent company, ByteDance. US President Joe Biden has indicated he would sign the bill if it passes the Senate, giving TikTok a deadline to sever ties with ByteDance. In addition, a bill signed by President Biden on April 24, 2024, may lead to a ban on TikTok in the United States unless ByteDance sells the app within a specified timeframe. Previous attempts to ban TikTok in the US and bans in India and Pakistan highlight the ongoing global concerns about the app’s security and content.
Has China banned the app?
TikTok is not available in China without the use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN), but the country has its own version named DouYin, owned by ByteDance. Despite ByteDance’s efforts to distance itself from the Chinese government, leaked reports in 2019 revealed Beijing’s influence on content moderation, leading to concerns about censorship. Despite these controversies, ByteDance continues to thrive financially, with substantial profits reported in recent years.