The United States is considering banning TikTok over national security concerns according to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The ban would concern TikTok and another 58 Chinese-owned apps.
The announcement was made by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a Fox News interview with Laura Ingraham on Monday.
“You should know we’re taking this very seriously. We’re certainly looking at it,” said Pompeo in response to a question from Ingraham about whether the US would consider banning Chinese social media apps days after India — TikTok’s largest market outside China — banned 59 Chinese-owned apps including TikTok, following border clashes with the country.
When asked whether Americans should download TikTok on their phones, Pompeo said: “Only if you want your private information in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.”
Related | Instagram To Launch Reels In India Following TikTok Ban
In response to Mike Pompeo’s comments, a TikTok spokesperson explained: “TikTok is led by an American CEO, with hundreds of employees and key leaders across safety, security, product, and public policy here in the U.S. We have no higher priority than promoting a safe and secure app experience for our users. We have never provided user data to the Chinese government, nor would we do so if asked.”
Now we are all used to the type of rhetoric and comments coming from the Trump administration by now. But, tensions between the U.S. and China are quickly escalating the areas of trade, technology, and national security. And that is one reason why I believe the U.S. may choose to push for a ban.
Of course, banning TikTok would most certainly benefit Facebook who is looking for a push for its own TikTok Clone, Instagram Reels.
You might also like
More from TikTok
TikTok To Discontinue TikTok Now, Its BeReal Clone
TIkTok is pulling the plug on TikTok Now, its BeReal clone, a little over nine month after it was first …
TikTok Begins Testing Tako, Its Own AI ChatBot
TikTok Tako is a new AI chatbot that could “radically change search and navigation” in the app. News of the test …
TikTok Introduces Effect Creator Rewards, Paying Creators For Popular AR Effects
TikTok Effect Creator Rewards is a new $6 million fund that will be used to pay creators based on the …
TikTok Launches World Hub To help Brands Better Connect With its Audience
TikTok World Hub is designed to help brands learn how to connect with audiences and get discovered on the platform. The …
TikTok Introduces Sounds For Business For Quick And Engaging Content Creation
TikTok is launching Sounds for Business, a new collection of sounds designed as templates for quick and engaging content creation. TikTok …
TikTok Is Testing Refresh, A New Feature To Reset Your For You Page
TikTok Refresh will help you reset your For You page algorithm, your watch history, and past interactions, so you can …
TikTok Is Now Banned On All Devices Issued By The US House Of Representatives
The chief administrative office of the House issued a directive establishing TikTok, the popular social media app, as a security …
TikTok Is Testing A Full-Screen Horizontal Mode
The new TikTok Full-screen horizontal mode means Creators could now create a single video that's optimized for both TikTok and …
TikTok Academy: A New ‘TikTok For Business’ Education Platform
TikTok last week announced the launch of TikTok Academy, a new education platform to help marketers develop TikTok expertise.
