TikTok Banned? How will government communicators survive?

5 Reasons Why is the Government Trying to Ban TikTok

GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS

Thomas Y. Lynch

3/16/20243 min read

TikTok has over a billion monthly users and is currently the 4th largest social media platform. The social media platform is the fastest-growing network in the world, so why ban it?

The main reason for banning TikTok is national security. I know you are saying wait..what? The platform is owned by ByteDance, a Beijing-based parent company. The risk of having TikTok as a part of the American Lexicon is that the APP could be compelled to act as an instrument of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

So now you are saying… so what, why is that important? Here are the 5 major concerns that TikTok poses to Americans and the Government.

1. Data privacy concerns

As stated previously TikTok is owned by a Chinese company (ByteDance), which means there could be potential risks of data being accessed by the Chinese government. In our profession data is king, the more you know the more you can influence or manipulate.

2. Influence operations

There have been concerns about foreign governments using TikTok to spread propaganda or influence American users. Have you been on any social media sites lately? As you know it is a mad house. Because social media uses algorithms to funnel content to users, there are categorized communities to target. Well-placed malicious messages can be targeted to users that may set a precedent or a tone on any subject matter.

3. Cybersecurity threats

When you install TikTok do you read the user agreement? My advice is DON’T, because if you did you would not download it! lol…The platform has faced criticism for its security practices, raising concerns about potential vulnerabilities. These weaknesses could be exploited by malicious actors. Keep in mind that your mobile device has listening and video capabilities. This means at any time your cell phone is vulnerable and can be compromised.

4. Potential for misinformation

TikTok's algorithm can easily spread misinformation, which could hurt national security if false information is promoted. According to Google nowadays, almost 62% of adults get their news from social media platforms, and that number is increasing. What sources are publishing this information? Who is behind the facts? Has the information been researched? As a communications professional, you need to know if the news you are disseminating is credible. In today’s political environment, we are seeing that bad information can go viral. We have a hard time separating fact from fiction, imagine if the fiction from a foreign country becomes relevant. It has the possibility of shifting American views and influencing their decisions.

5. Collection of sensitive information

Make no mistake about it TikTok collects a lot of personal data from its users, which could potentially be used in ways that threaten national security if it falls into the wrong hands.

These concerns highlight the need for increased scrutiny and regulation of all social media platforms not just TikTok to protect our national security. As a government communicator, it is vital that use the platforms not only to inform but also protect our community and stakeholders. Stay Tuned for how you can implement the TikTok platform into your government organization safely and effectively.

Thomas Y. Lynch