TikTok’s future in America hangs in the balance. The wildly popular app has captured 170 million monthly users in the U.S.. About one in three Americans keep scrolling through its endless content, making TikTok one of the world’s most downloaded apps.
The Chinese-owned platform faces serious challenges despite its huge success. National security risks tied to ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, drive the push toward a US ban. China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law requires Chinese companies to help their government gather intelligence when asked. Critics push for the ban because the app could harm young minds, threaten national security, and steal sensitive personal information.
The American public shares these concerns. A 2023 Pew Research Center poll revealed that half of Americans want their government to take action against the app. Congress responded by passing a law that forces ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations. Lawmakers set this deadline because they fear China might access American user data.
Let’s get into the real security risks TikTok presents in 2025. We’ll look at the good and bad of a possible ban and explore the platform’s problems that led to this heated debate.
Why is TikTok facing a potential ban in the U.S.?
TikTok might face a ban in the United States because lawmakers see the Chinese-owned platform as a threat to national security. ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, must comply with China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law. This law could force the company to share American user data with Chinese authorities.
Timeline of recent legal actions
The controversy started during Trump’s first term. Trump signed an executive order to ban TikTok in August 2020, citing national security risks. The courts blocked this order, and Biden’s administration reversed it in 2021.
A fundamental change came in March 2024. The House of Representatives passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA) with support from both parties. The Senate approved it too, and Biden signed it into law on April 24, 2024. The law gave ByteDance until January 19, 2025, to sell TikTok or face a nationwide ban.
TikTok fought the law in court. The Supreme Court unanimously upheld PAFACA on January 17, 2025, and rejected the company’s First Amendment claims. TikTok stopped its US operations the next day.
Trump took office and signed an executive order on January 20, 2025. He delayed the ban’s enforcement by 75 days. He extended the deadline twice more—first to June 19, then to September 17, 2025.
The ‘Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act’
PAFACA targets apps controlled by “foreign adversaries”—China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The law specifically focuses on TikTok and other ByteDance apps.
Key provisions of PAFACA include:
- No distribution, maintenance, or updates of “foreign adversary controlled applications” in US territory
- ByteDance must sell TikTok to continue US operations
- The original deadline was 270 days after the law passed
- One 90-day extension possible under certain conditions
Congress created this law because TikTok could spy on Americans or influence US public opinion by increasing or suppressing specific content. FBI Director Christopher Wray told Congress that Chinese authorities could compromise American devices through the software.
Public opinion on the TikTok ban
Americans support for the TikTok ban has dropped. Pew Research Center shows support fell from 50% in March 2023 to 32% by August 2024. Opposition grew from 22% to 28% during this time.
Political views show a clear split. By fall 2023, 42% of Republicans and 24% of Democrats backed the ban. These numbers dropped from 60% of Republicans and 43% of Democrats in early 2023.
App usage creates an even bigger divide. TikTok users strongly oppose the ban (61%) rather than support it (10%). Non-users remain split with 42% supporting and 43% uncertain.
Recent data from March 2025 shows continued division. The numbers stand at 34% supporting, 32% opposing, and 33% unsure. Ban supporters worry most about data security (83%) and Chinese ownership (75%).
How real are the national security risks?
TikTok’s national security risks fall into a complex gray area. They’re not just theories, but they’re not fully proven either. These risks emerge where technical capabilities, legal frameworks, and geopolitical tensions meet.
What data TikTok collects
TikTok gathers a huge amount of personal information from users. Recent studies show the app collects:
- Personal identifiers: email addresses, phone numbers, age, full name
- Device information: location data, IP addresses, device brand and model, operating system
- Usage patterns: videos watched, viewing time, search and browsing history
- Communication data: message content, sending times, receiving times, and read receipts
- Content engagement: likes, shares, comments, and completed video views
- Biometric data: “faceprints and voiceprints” (with user permission)
This creates a massive data repository from 150 million American users. TikTok uses this data mainly to serve ads and recommend content, but the sheer volume creates security risks.
Could China access this data?
China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law creates the biggest concern. Chinese companies must “support, assist and cooperate with state intelligence work” when asked. Since ByteDance (TikTok’s parent company) operates from China, the Chinese government could legally request user data access.
We have limited but worrying evidence of actual data access. ByteDance staff, including some in China, tracked U.S. journalists’ locations without permission in 2022. A former employee claimed the Chinese Communist Party used “backdoor” access to watch Hong Kong protesters in 2018.
TikTok tried to fix these issues with “Project Texas” by storing U.S. user data on Oracle Cloud servers in America. In spite of that, TikTok’s internal reports show managers often tell workers to share data with other company parts and ByteDance staff without proper protocols.
TikTok faced a €530 million fine from the Irish Data Protection Commission in 2023 for sending European data to China illegally. On top of that, Buzzfeed found audio recordings from 80 internal meetings where staff confirmed “everything is seen in China”.
Comparing TikTok to U.S. platforms
U.S. social media platforms collect similar user data. Studies show TikTok’s data collection matches “what other social media companies gather and use”. Facebook might even collect more data than TikTok in some cases.
The main difference lies in data access, not collection. U.S. platforms need court orders to share data with the American government. ByteDance might have to give data to China without any judicial oversight.
U.S. Cyber Command’s General Paul Nakasone highlighted this difference. He pointed out that China already stated they’ll “touch the data at any time they want”. Security experts believe China could use this data to find recruitment targets or build foreigner profiles.
No public evidence shows Beijing has used TikTok data for intelligence work. The technical ability and legal framework exist though. A security expert put it this way: “At the height of the Cold War, I don’t think we would have allowed the Soviet Union to own a social media site that delivers news to 30% of Americans”.
What is the problem with TikTok’s influence on users?
TikTok’s influence on users goes way beyond security risks. The debate about banning the platform stems from how its algorithm-driven system shapes behavior and thinking. These effects raise serious questions about what it all means for society.
Mental health and screen addiction
TikTok’s design encourages engagement to maximize addictiveness through infinite scrolling. Research backs this up – users spend about 95 minutes each day on the platform. This heavy usage relates to troubling effects on mental health.
Research links TikTok to higher levels of anxiety, depression, and poor body image in teenagers. The app’s algorithm learns what keeps people hooked – usually emotional or provocative content. It then serves more of the same content, which creates unhealthy patterns.
Young users face the highest risk of developing unhealthy screen habits. Yes, it is concerning that 63% of American teenagers use TikTok daily. Even more worrying, 32% say they use it more than any other social platform.
Harmful trends and challenges
The viral nature of TikTok sometimes leads to dangerous activities. Many harmful challenges have gone viral on the platform. Take the “blackout challenge” – it claimed at least 15 children’s lives since 2021.
Physical dangers aren’t the only problem. Harmful social trends spread faster too. The recommendation system can push users toward extreme content. This includes content promoting eating disorders, self-harm discussions, and risky pranks.
The speed at which these harmful trends spread causes the most concern. The algorithm spots a user’s interest in potentially harmful content. Then it keeps showing similar material, which creates echo chambers that make problematic behaviors worse.
TikTok’s role in shaping opinions
TikTok has remarkable power over public opinion and cultural conversations. Its algorithm can shape what millions of Americans see and believe.
A 2023 study revealed that 40% of Gen Z users turn to TikTok as their main news source. This raises red flags about information quality and manipulation. The platform also has a history of filtering certain political content while pushing others.
This power to shape opinions, combined with possible foreign influence, creates serious concerns. People who support banning TikTok point to this unprecedented ability to influence American culture. They worry about an opaque algorithm that foreign entities might control.
The mix of addictive design, promotion of harmful trends, and opinion-shaping abilities builds a strong case. These problems with TikTok reach way beyond the reach and influence of simple data privacy concerns.
Why should TikTok be banned in the U.S.?
The case to ban TikTok in the United States rests on three main threats that build a compelling argument to restrict the app’s operation. These concerns go beyond simple data privacy issues and touch on fundamental aspects of national sovereignty and security.
Security, misinformation, and influence
TikTok’s data collection practices create major security risks. Cybersecurity expert Alan W. Silberberg points out that ByteDance’s partial ownership by China’s government means TikTok routes all collected data through Chinese servers. Teenagers unknowingly share ISP data, location details, pictures, and videos taken inside their homes.
TikTok has become a channel for spreading false information. A 2022 report revealed that about 20% of TikTok videos contain misinformation. The platform determines future content based on past interactions, which helps false information spread quickly.
The app’s power to shape opinions creates serious concerns. Many Americans now use TikTok as their primary news source. Research shows Chinese actors have already used the platform to spread anti-American propaganda within the United States.
The case for a ‘tough on China’ approach
Chinese government laws require cooperation with intelligence operations. Article 7 of China’s National Intelligence Law of 2017 states that “all organizations and citizens shall support, assist, and cooperate with national intelligence efforts”. This law creates a direct path for the Chinese Communist Party to access American user data.
Lawmakers believe banning TikTok shows a needed stance against China’s growing tech influence. Republican senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts maintain that TikTok should operate in the US only if ByteDance cuts all ties to China’s government.
Senator Mitt Romney put it clearly: “One thing that is a lot worse than having our government infringe on our privacy is having the Chinese Communist Party infringe on our privacy and be able to track us and follow us”.
Concerns about digital sovereignty
The TikTok debate raises vital questions about digital sovereignty—how nations control their digital space, including communities and people’s control over their technologies.
This concept covers the physical layer (infrastructure), code layer (standards), and information layer (content, data). The U.S. ban mirrors India’s approach, which banned over 500 Chinese apps citing national security concerns and the protection of “data security and safeguarding the privacy” of Indian citizens.
Banning TikTok makes a statement about who controls America’s digital ecosystem. U.S. lawmakers stress that letting a potentially hostile foreign power control a platform with huge influence over American culture creates unprecedented risks to national sovereignty.
What happens if TikTok is banned?
A US ban on TikTok would create immediate shockwaves that would be nowhere near contained. This would shake up millions of users, businesses, and the entire digital world.
Impact on users and creators
The ban would devastate countless creators who depend on TikTok to make a living. Small businesses generate 90-98% of their sales through TikTok, either directly or indirectly. TikTok Shop has revolutionized many entrepreneurs’ businesses. Some have built warehouses and hired employees because of their success. Content creators would lose their audiences and substantial income from brand partnerships and sponsored content.
Marginalized communities would feel the heaviest blow. One expert points out: “It really concerns me for everyday creators, particularly marginalized ones, who might have a disability and not be able to work in person”. These creators would face an uphill battle to rebuild their communities on other platforms while dealing with financial uncertainty.
Workarounds and app alternatives
The app would vanish from app stores right after the ban. Users who already have TikTok would notice their app working less and less as they miss critical updates. Some might try using VPNs to access TikTok from outside the U.S. These workarounds come with major security risks and might not even work well.
The 15-year old platforms would likely benefit the most:
- Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts (ready to welcome content creators)
- Snapchat (strong with 800 million monthly active users)
- Twitch (perfect for TikTok’s livestreaming fans)
Potential rise of other Chinese apps
RedNote (Xiaohongshu) climbed to the #1 spot in Apple’s U.S. store while TikTok faced legal battles. Lemon8, another ByteDance app, gained popularity too. Users switching to these platforms might run into similar regulatory issues later.
Long-term effects on tech policy
Digital nationalism grows stronger with the TikTok ban as countries tighten their grip on digital ecosystems. This could split the global internet further. Users in different countries might end up with vastly different online experiences.
Meta executive Eric Maskin noted, “TikTok seems to be taking quite a bit of business away from US social media. A ban would give the American companies a chance to catch up”.
Conclusion
The TikTok ban debate raises valid security concerns that warrant strict regulation. A complete ban would have widespread effects. The platform serves about 170 million Americans under Chinese ownership. China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law requires ByteDance to help with government intelligence gathering whenever asked.
TikTok gathers huge amounts of personal data from device information to biometric details. This creates major security risks. The platform’s data collection looks like U.S.-based platforms. The real issue lies in data access. American companies need court orders to share data with the government. ByteDance might have to provide data without any judicial review.
The platform’s algorithm-driven content system creates more problems. Users spend 95 minutes each day on TikTok. Research shows this heavy usage leads to anxiety, depression, and poor body image in teenagers. The viral nature of content makes dangerous activities spread fast through harmful challenges.
The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act suggests a radical alteration toward digital nationalism. ByteDance must sell TikTok by September 2025 or face a nationwide ban. Public support for the ban dropped from 50% in 2023 to 32% by August 2024.
A ban would hurt many creators’ income streams, especially in marginalized communities. Platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Snapchat are ready to welcome content creators. Users might also head over to other Chinese apps like RedNote.
The TikTok debate brings up vital questions about digital sovereignty. Who controls America’s digital world? What risks come from letting a potentially hostile foreign power shape American culture through a popular platform? This controversy will reshape the scene of future technology policy. It might speed up the break-up of the global internet into separate digital territories.
FAQs
Q1. What are the main security concerns surrounding TikTok? TikTok’s data collection practices and its parent company ByteDance’s obligations under Chinese law raise significant security concerns. The app collects extensive personal information, and there are worries that the Chinese government could potentially access this data for intelligence purposes.
Q2. How might a TikTok ban impact users and content creators? A ban would disrupt the livelihoods of many creators who rely on TikTok for income. Small businesses and entrepreneurs who use TikTok for sales and marketing would be significantly affected. Additionally, users would lose access to the platform’s unique content and features.
Q3. What alternatives are available if TikTok is banned? If TikTok is banned, users may turn to alternative platforms such as Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Snapchat, or Twitch. However, these platforms may not offer the same features or reach as TikTok, and users would need to rebuild their audiences.
Q4. How does TikTok’s algorithm influence users? TikTok’s algorithm-driven content delivery system is designed to maximize user engagement, which can lead to extended usage times. This has been linked to potential mental health issues, especially among younger users. The algorithm can also shape opinions and potentially spread misinformation quickly.
Q5. What are the broader implications of a TikTok ban on digital policy? A TikTok ban could represent a shift towards digital nationalism, where countries assert more control over their digital ecosystems. This might lead to increased fragmentation of the global internet and raise important questions about digital sovereignty and the balance between national security and open digital platforms.
