As of February 2023, TikTok has been banned from Canadian work phones. Now the business unit is also in trouble. Is that enough?Image: trapezoid
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The Canadian government wants to kick the TikTok company out of Canada due to security concerns, but does not want to ban the app. In the United States, the Chinese can count on Trump and Musk.
TikTok is an extremely popular app that is extremely dangerous for democratic societies. The Chinese-influenced social media platform spreads hate and lies almost uncontrollably and exacerbates demographic polarization.
For years, Western countries have struggled to find a sensible way to deal with its owner, the Chinese technology conglomerate ByteDance. A very negative development is occurring in North America right now.
What are the threats to TikTok in Canada?
The Canadian government has ordered Chinese social media giant TikTok to cease operations in the country by the end of 2025.
The decision, published on November 6, cited national security interests and the security risks posed by the app.
TikTok parent company ByteDance plans to challenge the order in court.
Will the TikTok app be completely blocked in Canada?
No.
Canadians should be able to continue using popular short video apps. They say the decision to use a particular social media app or platform is a personal one.
François-Philippe Champagne, the responsible Canadian minister, said that the Canadian government did not block TikTok but acted on the advice of national security authorities.
Why did Canada close TikTok offices?
Under Canadian law, the government can review and block foreign investments and business activities if they believe they threaten national security.
ByteDance's security audit apparently confirmed some of the concerns, which led to the decision to close the branches.
Industry Minister Champagne said:
“This decision is based on information and evidence gathered during the review, as well as advice from Canada's security and intelligence agencies and other government partners.”
No details were revealed.
“TikTok Technology Canada, Inc.”, a subsidiary of ByteDance, has two offices in Canada, one in Toronto and one in Vancouver.
Back in February 2023, the Canadian government banned the use of the TikTok app on all government-issued mobile devices.
What's the point of expulsion?
This is questionable. Independent experts point out that only app bans will be effective.
Michael Geist, Director of Canadian Internet and E-Commerce Law Studies, University of Ottawawarned that banning the company (rather than the app) might actually make things worse. This means the risks associated with the app remain, but the ability to hold ByteDance accountable is diminished.
TikTok said through a spokesperson that “closing TikTok's Canadian offices and destroying hundreds of high-paying local jobs is not in everyone's best interest.” The decision will be challenged in court.
Why is this important for Switzerland too?
There have long been concerns that China is using the so-called independent TikTok app as a weapon against Western democracies. TikTok is banned or inaccessible in China itself.
The main problem is the massive social damage TikTok has caused. Disinformation campaigns reach millions of audiences, driven by recommendation algorithms designed to maximize arousal. Hatred and lies unsettle some segments of the population and ultimately lead to the destabilization of liberal democratic systems.
Young people, TikTok’s actual target audience, have been particularly affected. But Chinese social media platforms aren’t just harming teenagers’ mental health. It may also be used for espionage and surveillance.
Beijing’s authoritarian regime could force all Chinese companies to pass user data to its own authorities. This is possible under the Chinese Intelligence Law of 2017 and affects TikTok users around the world.
TikTok disputes the claim.
What about the US ban on TikTok?
It is known that ByteDance is currently using legal means to deal with the threat of being forced to sell or ban its TikTok app in the United States.
U.S. President Joe Biden signed a law in April forcing ByteDance to sell the app to a U.S. company within a year or face a nationwide ban. But the wind may now be turning in the company's favour.
Thanks to Trump's election, TikTok boss Shou Zi Chew can look to the future in a more relaxed way.Image: trapezoid
By December 6, the U.S. Court of Appeals will rule on whether the relevant laws that Trump has publicly criticized are legal. Ultimately, an appeal could be made to a Trump-friendly Supreme Court.
Under current law, TikTok will be banned from U.S. app stores on January 19, 2025, the day before Trump’s inauguration. Once in office, the new president could order the U.S. Department of Justice not to enforce the ban.
Things are improving for TikTok. During his first term as president, Trump tried (unsuccessfully) to sell the app to an American company. But then he made an abrupt U-turn mid-campaign.
American commentators describe TikTok as a better MAGA community platform than Facebook. Trump has a grudge against Zuckerberg's social media company because of his defeat in the 2020 election.
It has also been revealed that one of ByteDance's largest U.S. investors may have influenced Trump's changes. This 66-year-old man Billionaire Jeff YasThe Republican is said to have helped pay Trump's huge legal bills.
Elon Musk may ultimately provide the decisive impetus for support for TikTok and opposition to the U.S. ban. The tech billionaire is now considered America's “shadow vice president” because of his widespread support for Trump during the campaign.
Musk has publicly criticized the above-mentioned US laws aimed at forcing the sale or ban of TikTok. He is pursuing his own powerful business interests in China through Tesla. British magazine The Spectator said few people are more reliant on local markets and production locations than Elon Musk.
Therefore, TikTok should continue to operate without disruption in the United States. Unless the Chinese piss off the malignant narcissist who got into the White House.
What about Europe?
In recent months, the European Union (EU) has taken tough action against technology companies whose platforms and algorithms are designed to keep users glued to their screens for as long as possible.
The EU is one of the few regions in the world that has specific laws allowing it to take action against large platform operators.
As part of the Digital Services Act (DSA), a relatively strict social media law, the European Commission this year launched an investigation into TikTok, along with Facebook and Instagram, over alleged addictive nature of recommendation algorithms.
TikTok had its first success in August when it backed down and announced it was abandoning the controversial rewards feature of “TikTok Light.”
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