Global Issues Emerge as TikTok struggles with Security Issues in the U.S

TikTok, the famous short-video app, almost got shut down in the United States on January 19, 2025. The U.S. Supreme Court has told ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, to either sell the app to a buyer that is allowed or it will be banned due to national security issues. Former President Donald Trump stepped in and gave ByteDance more time to find a buyer, which put a hold on a lasting ban of TikTok in the U.S.

This isn't the first time TikTok has faced national security issues. In June 2020, the Indian government banned TikTok alongside 58 other Chinese apps, claiming security and sovereignty concerns amid escalating border tensions with China. The ban affected various apps, including social media, online shopping, file-sharing, and game apps. India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology claimed that these apps were collecting data without permission and analysing it, which put users' security at risk and sent private information to servers located outside India.

The U.S. shares worries similar to those of India. Critics say TikTok's collection of user data could be a threat to national security because it might allow the Chinese government to access private information. The app quickly went from being popular with teens to becoming a major global social media platform, which has increased these worries. 

The case highlights the growing attention on Chinese tech companies and the challenge for governments to encourage innovation while keeping national security in mind.

Source : The Hindu