On Jan. 19, the infamous and beloved app TikTok was banned in America. However, only twelve hours after the app’s disappearance, it was announced that the platform was back and unbanned for the time being—all thanks to our new President Donald Trump who appears to be trying to play the role of a savior.
According to ABC News, the Chinese-owned app does bring up security concerns—such as data tracking, stealing and even some rumors of the TikTok “high-ups” being able to manipulate users’ algorithms. China has been one of America’s biggest adversaries for a long time and though it is no surprise when either country tries to take a dig at each other, there is more than enough evidence that this was just a ploy to help president Trump save the day.
The ban/unban has widely been seen as a publicity stunt and Summit students are in agreement, including sophomore Zoe Thompson who is skeptical of the real reasoning behind the ban.
“I think that President Trump set it up for him to be the hero and fix [TikTok],” said Thompson. “It put him into a position that brought him into the spotlight, even though he started the ban in the first place.”
As the ban appears to be configured as positive advertising for President Trump, it did bring lots of good attention towards the recent election. The Biden administration was heavily criticized on this topic this past summer when rumors of the TikTok ban originally surfaced. The younger demographic especially was angry that the Biden administration focused too much on the banning of a social media app instead of other, more pressing political matters. This in turn makes it even more attractive for President Trump to swoop in and save the famed app. Many seem to be unaware that the new president originally pioneered the idea of banning the app July 31 2020 during his first term. According to AP News, he is now taking full credit for reviving the app and none of the credit for trying to ban it in the first place.
These apps are incredibly addictive and nothing has brought this reality to the surface more than this ban. The app was banned for less than twelve hours and put users into a frenzy. With a mad dash to Instagram reels—an unfulfilling replacement for TikTok for many—the pages were riddled with not-so-fake jokes about increasing panic with the absence of the app. Not three videos were scrolled by without one referencing the missed app.
“I think the ban showed how everyone in our society is very addicted to TikTok because it became such a big thing when it was only gone for like twelve hours,” said Thompson.
However, there is still some confusion as to if the app will be sticking around. PBS News has stated that the ban has been pushed back 75 days, until an American buyer can take it over.
But is an American buyer going to make TikTok a safer platform or just more restricted? Apps such as X or Facebook who are owned by uber-rich patriots Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are none the safer. Meta, the company who owns Instagram, Facebook and Whatsapp—also partially owned by Zuckerberg—took away the fact checking tool Jan. 8, getting rid of any reliable sources, and it was replaced with “community notes” where the users can ask questions and have them answered by other users.
If TikTok does end up getting bought by an American owner there is a strong chance it will be just as catered to misinformation and control. It seems that these CEOs are caught up in the excitement of having power and believe that they can get it by being wrapped around President Trump’s finger.
