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.