Source Image: The Straits Times
China Warns of Consequences: TikTok Ban Could “Come Back to Bite” the US
Talking about international digital diplomacy, China has issued a strict warning for United States in regards with one of the popular social media platforms TikTok. The warning comes in between threats of a potential ban on the app in the United States. Which shows concerns about data privacy and national security.
TikTok, which is owned by one of the Chinese company Byte-Dance, has faced huge pressure from US lawmakers and officials who allege that the application could be used to simply collect sensitive data. These concerns have led to calls for TikTok to be banned in the US or for its parent company to divest its American operations.
China has consistently denied these allegations, framing them as politically motivated and accusing the US of using national security as a pretext to stifle competition and advance its own interests in the tech industry. In response to the prospect of a TikTok ban, Chinese officials finally issued a pointed warning, which suggests that such a move could have repercussions for all the US companies operating in China.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Zhao Lijianstated during a press brief, “The US is using the concept of national security to oppress foreign companies”. We hope that the US can provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for foreign companies. Otherwise, well it will ‘come back to bite’.” This thinly veiled threat suggests that China could retaliate against American companies operating in its market if the US proceeds with banning TikTok.
The potential ban on TikTok has been a subject of contention between the US and China for over a year. Former President Donald Trump issued executive orders seeking to ban TikTok in the US unless it was sold to an American company, citing national security concerns. However, these orders faced legal challenges, and the situation remained unresolved as the Biden administration took office.
President Joe Biden’s administration has also expressed concerns about TikTok‘s data practices and potential security risks but has not taken any immediate actions to ban the app.TikTok has sought to address these concerns by implementing measures to increase transparency and data security. The company has established data centers in the US and other countries to store user data locally, thereby reducing the risk of it being accessed by the Chinese government. TikTok has also undergone audits and engaged with third-party experts to evaluate its data protection practices.
As of right now, United States faces a delicate balancing act between safeguarding national security, protecting user privacy, and avoiding undue escalation in its relationship with China. The outcome of this situation will not only shape the future of TikTok but It can have far-reaching implications for the broader landscape of international tech regulation and diplomacy.