TikTok Plans Immediate US Shutdown on Sunday

[u/HellYeahDamnWrite]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/tiktok-plans-immediate-us-shutdown-153524617.html

[u/xBewm]

Celebrating the government banning an app is kind of weird to me. Like I get not wanting to use the app but we shouldn’t really be psyched about the government deciding what kind of social avenues are available to us. Especially when X and Meta are allowed to continue operating how they always have been.

[u/GamingWithBilly → u/xBewm]

There are several important factors to consider here. American companies and innovations are the backbone of our economy. Historically, when foreign products threaten American industries, the U.S. imposes tariffs and import fees to level the playing field. However, in the digital world, there’s no customs system to inspect or regulate foreign applications entering the market.

This brings up the critical question: who controls these apps? A few years ago, the Pentagon banned active service members from using TikTok due to concerns it could track their routines and locations—especially dangerous if service members are under orders to remain incognito. Imagine if a journalist aboard Air Force One had TikTok installed during a covert trip to a war zone. That location data could be transmitted to China and potentially sold to hostile nations, putting national security at significant risk.

Even American companies aren't immune to privacy violations. Take Apple, for instance. Siri was caught secretly recording conversations and uploading them without user consent. If a major U.S. company can cross privacy lines, we should be even more cautious about what foreign-owned apps might be capable of—especially when it comes to secretly collecting sensitive information.

Intelligence operations globally also demonstrate how technology can be weaponized. Consider how Israel reportedly used explosive-laden walkies and pagers to target Hamas. This was a long-term strategy: distributing seemingly harmless devices that could later be used for lethal purposes. It’s a stark reminder that nations often embed threats in everyday tools and technology.

Finally, there’s the legal angle. If an American company like Facebook or Apple engages in harmful practices, they can be sued and held accountable in U.S. courts. But if a foreign company like TikTok were to, say, steal personal data, hack bank accounts, and cause financial devastation, pursuing legal action against them would be incredibly difficult. The U.S. government can regulate and prosecute domestic companies—but holding a foreign entity accountable is a far more complex challenge.

So, when the argument is made that "TikTok is dangerous and must go," I understand the concern. While alternatives like Instagram or YouTube might not be perfect, at least they’re American companies subject to U.S. laws. If they cross the line, there are legal pathways for accountability. But trying to hold a foreign government or company responsible? Good luck suing China.

Removing an app from your phone doesn’t infringe on free speech. Your ability to express yourself isn’t being silenced—you still have countless platforms to share your voice. The real issue here isn’t about speech; it’s about money. Content creators are frustrated because losing TikTok makes it harder to reach their audiences and generate income.

But let’s be honest—no successful creator relies on a single platform. They diversify across Patreon, YouTube, YouTube Shorts, Instagram, Facebook (Meta), Facebook Groups, Fansly, X (formerly Twitter), BlueSky, Digg, Reddit, 9GAG, 4chan, DeviantArt, Snapchat, Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, Tumblr, Mastodon, Kwai, and MeWe. And that’s not even touching on their merchandise sales and brand partnerships, which bring in additional revenue streams.

Let’s face it—the content creator industry isn’t going to collapse without TikTok in the U.S. They’ll adapt, just like they always have.