UMD Students Discuss Possible TikTok Ban
As the federal government and tech companies grapple over legislation that would ban the social media app TikTok, UMD students shared their opinions of the bill’s ramifications.
TikTok is owned by a tech company in China called Bytedance. The social media app is run by CEO Shou Zi Chew. The White House ordered all federal workers to delete the app on all federal devices in late February due to fear that China was using it to collect information according to CBS News. Congress approved that ban because “the Chinese-owned app is a security risk.”
“We do not trust TikTok will ever embrace American values—values for freedom, human rights, and innovation,” said chair member Cathy Morris Rodgers during a committee hearing.
Sophomore computer science major Nathan Blanken said he didn’t feel that TikTok was unique in how it collects information.
“I believe that TikTok collects data but no more than any other company,” Blanken said. “Companies collect sensitive data from people every day, but I don’t believe that TikTok is taking any data that isn't already being collected elsewhere,” he said.
Although the app is under scrutiny by the US government, there have been a lot of mixed reviews from the public. Some benefit from the TikTok platform such as senior Communications major Ama Addo.
“I do makeup, and I promote my business there so people know me and want to book me. If it is taken away I will still have Instagram, but it's not the same,” Addo said. The senior is a content creator on the app with over 10,000 followers.
People have reported that TikTok allows content makers to go viral easier and quicker in order to get their brands running.
Rufus said the variety of content on TikTok is a good reason for lawmakers to forgo banning it.
“There's a lot of good content [on the app] and it can be educational,” said freshman Dani Rufus, in Information Science.
The app has success worldwide; however, security is a very sensitive issue. Addo plans on making content full-time once she graduates in May, but those plans might change since the US believes Tik Tok is allegedly taking information from users and could be selling it to their government.
“TikTok collects nearly every data point imaginable, from people’s location to what they type and copy, who they talk to, biometric data, and more. Even if they’ve never been on TikTok your trackers are embedded in sites across the web. TikTok surveilles us all,” said Cathy McMorris Rodgers, during the committee hearing.
In 2021 Tik Tok did update its Privacy Policy and added a new section that they “may collect biometric identifiers and biometric information” from its users’ content.
“We sign a policy agreement before we use the app. We just don’t read it. I think if you’re not comfortable with that, you shouldn’t use the app,” said Addo.