If they become owned by the CCP, then yes.
Still, if we are going to get screwed by social media, I would rather we screw ourselves than let the Chinese do it.
Because there are reports that TikTok is illegally collecting user data for the CCP, both to spread pro-CCP and anti-western propaganda, but also to potentially compromise US military and national security interests. It is not just another social media company, it is for all practical purposes, a digital weapon being deployed by the CCP.
All of that user data is accessible via any other application, or from the hardware on the phone itself (much of which is made in China). Smart watches can do the same thing. This is why anything like this is already prohibited from being anywhere near sensitive military or national security sites. And again, Pro-CCP messaging and anti-western propaganda is just as easily spread and distributed on any other platform.
losing our manufacturing base to China is far more detrimental to our national security
I do not dispute anything that you have said, and I am certain that you know more about technology than I (it would be pretty hard not to). Still, just because we are faced with attacks on multiple fronts does not mean that we should choose to ignore the opportunity to stop a big one when the opportunity presents.
It baffled me when he wanted to do it then just like it still baffles me now. The other issue going forward is what is the enforcement mechanism they plan on using that doesn't require even further digital surveillance than we already have? If someone uses a VPN to download the app anyway is the NSA going to report them? FBI going to show up and arrest them for using Tik Tok? Are they going to try and ban VPNs next?
And now the kids at University of Texas have joined the fray (assuming these are even students):
UT Austin protests descend into chaos, anti-Israel students yell at police: 'Pigs go home!'
Texas authorities made more than 20 arrests at a disruptive anti-Israel protest at the University of Texas at Austin on Wednesday, as the Israel-Hamas war continues.www.foxnews.com
My understanding is that it does not target users at all, but rather the company that owns TikTok from being able to operate in the US, as well as app stores from distributing the app.
Right.... but if I use a VPN and place my location in a country outside the US and download the app that way, or side load the apk from an existing phone, and fire up a VPN when I want to use the app, what's the punishment going to be?
I didn't support the move or understand it when Trump wanted to do it. As far as corrupting the minds of young people... again when they ban onlyfans, drag queen story hour, and puberty blockers for kids I'll take them seriously. Also yes, other apps take just as much data from your phone as tiktok does.
I think the concern was data collection by the CCP.
I've read that as well, but all your user data that's collected from other apps on your phone as well as your internet browser can be collected on or purchased anyway.
