Recently, TikTok users in the U.S. were greeted with a message urging them to contact their congressional representatives. The pop-up warned about Congress considering a complete ban on TikTok, potentially impacting the free expression of 170 million Americans.
Why TikTok wants you to call your representatives
The focus of the plea was on how a ban would affect creators, businesses, and artists, rather than on TikTok’s true motivations for self-preservation.
This proposal marks the fourth attempt by U.S. politicians in recent years to restrict TikTok’s operations in the country and is proving to be particularly contentious.
In the past, attempts to ban TikTok were met with legal challenges and were eventually revoked or blocked. The current bill, titled the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act,” requires ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to sell TikTok within six months or face removal from U.S. app stores.
The political landscape surrounding this bill is complicated, with President Biden expressing support for it, despite his recent use of TikTok to engage with voters. Meanwhile, former President Trump, who previously sought to ban TikTok, now opposes the bill. The public response to the potential ban has been mixed, with many doubting its effectiveness.
Amidst the uncertainty, some TikTok users are questioning the government’s focus on banning the app rather than addressing more pressing issues.
Topics
TikTok
Elizabeth is a digital culture reporter covering the internet’s influence on self-expression, fashion, and fandom. Her work explores how technology shapes our identities, communities, and emotions. Before joining Mashable, Elizabeth spent six years in tech. Her reporting can be found in Rolling Stone, The Guardian, TIME, and Teen Vogue. Follow her on Instagram here.
