The short-form video platform may make changes, but there’s little the federal agency can do to regulate its removal by Apple and Google, experts say
In a June letterBrendan Carr, FCC commissioner, wrote to Apple and Google chief executives requesting that TikTok be removed from their app stores. This was due to national security concerns and a violation on the platforms’ terms. Since last week’s letter, the two companies have had until Friday to reply to the request.
Carr refers to TikTok but “a sophisticated surveillance tool that harvests extensive amounts of personal and sensitive data”That is possible Accessible in China — where the app’s parent company, ByteDance, is based — TikTok users agree to its user data terms when they download the app. Carr explained that it is a private business contract between the parties.
“There is not much the government can do from a prosecutorial or civil standpoint to impose any fines on TikTok. They’re not breaking the law,”Ramey stated.
Experts said that any action against TikTok would need to be taken by Congress. This could include a change in its operations or its removal from the U.S. marketplace. While there are ongoing efforts to regulate TikTok including the push by former President Donald Trump to ban it entirely, Ramey stated that both political parties are yet to agree on a course.
Representatives for TikTok, Google, Apple and the FCC didn’t respond to ’s requests for comment.
Many apps, particularly social media platforms, store user data and may share it with third parties. However, TikTok’s concern is that the Chinese government could have access to private information on American citizens if ByteDance orders it to do so. TikTok is a social media platform. The changed “default storage location” of user traffic so that it’s routed in the U.S. through Oracle cloud servers, with the two companies together managing and auditing American data. The company has been using its data centers in Virginia (and Singapore) for many years. These will continue as “backup data storage.”The company also stated last month that it will be leading the management of American user data in America.
However, it may not be enough to impress the FCC. Amnon Siev, founder and CEO of cybersecurity firm GeoEdge, said that the physical location of servers doesn’t actually matter when it comes to the ability to access data.
“As cyber capabilities advance, workarounds exist to harvest user data despite the physical location,”Siev stated. “Here, the key concern is that user data would end up in the hands of Chinese intelligence.”
These potential risks haven’t stopped users and content creators from flocking to TikTok, which reached 1 billion monthly users last year. TikTok is the fastest growing social network. It’s on track to triple its 2021 ad revenue to $11.64 billion this year, and surpass the revenue of Twitter and Snap combined.
This platform is also lucrative for TikTok and influencers. “stars,”If TikTok is removed from the app stores, they would need to set up shop elsewhere. Only those with TikTok installed would be affected. The app is available for downloadYou can access your accounts from the desktop site. The app will not be updated.
“For content creators, this situation calls into question the long-term platform stability of TikTok in the U.S.,”Shirley Romig, CEO at social platform Mixo said. “For creators who make a living off of content platforms, there is a risk in putting all of your eggs in one basket.”
TikTok continues to be the top-rated free entertainment app on iOS, and the most free social media app on Google Play. TikTok was the top-grossing non-game app out of the $65 billion global consumer spending during the first half of 2022. According to Sensor Tower. The app can be downloaded for free. However, you can make in-app payments to creators and buy products from brands. It was also the most-downloaded non-game app in the world this year, surpassing Meta-owned Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp.
TikTok’s sheer success makes it further “unlikely” that Apple and Google’s No. According to Siev, 1 app will be removed following this FCC demand. It would not only be against their economic interests but also the FCC demand will result in 1 app being removed. Siev said that this is a significant criticism of the giants for failing to protect users and have been increasingly criticized. Apple, for example, admitted last year that some companies were able to bypass its app shop review process. an enterprise programLarge companies. Apple later stated that it had to make adjustments to the program following abuses. One example was Facebook’s suspension for publishing an app that collected user data.
“For over a decade, tech giants like Google have publicly boasted about user protection standards but historically failed to meet and ensure audience protection,”Siev was added. “From noncompliance with their own policies to finding loopholes and workarounds, Google’s blatant disregard for online audience protection is apparent.”
We may see TikTok change some things as a result this FCC request. Ramey stated that any regulation impacting TikTok’s app will likely be in form of broader social-media protections. Some of those suggestions, including the proposed Section 230 reformThe 1996 Communications Decency Act would focus on wider industry concerns rather than company-specific ones.
“TikTok will make changes at the very least for public relations reasons,”Ramey stated.
