Will Tiktok survive the rage of Westerners?

TikTok, a Chinese video sharing app, has taken the world by storm since its launch in 2016. With over a billion users worldwide, it has become one of the most popular social media platforms, especially among the younger generation. Recently, however, TikTok has faced a lot of criticism and opposition from Western countries, especially the United States. In this essay, I will explore whether TikTok will survive the rampage of Westerners.

The main problem with TikTok is that it is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. This has led to concerns about privacy and data security, as China has a reputation for strict internet censorship and surveillance. The United States government has accused TikTok of sharing user data with the Chinese government, which TikTok denies. The concerns were serious enough that former US President Donald Trump issued an executive order in 2020 banning TikTok from operating in the country, citing national security concerns. But the ban was temporarily halted by a US court, and the Biden administration took no further action against TikTok.

Despite the concerns, TikTok has a huge user base in the United States with around 100 million users. Many of these users are teenagers and young adults who are very engaged with the platform. TikTok has become an integral part of pop culture with viral dances, challenges and trends originating from the app. This popularity makes it difficult for the platform to be completely banned or shut down in the United States.

However, privacy and data security concerns remain, with some experts warning that TikTok's ownership by a Chinese company could potentially put user data at risk. The app has also faced accusations of promoting inappropriate content, including videos of self-harm and extremist content.

However, TikTok has taken steps to address these issues, including implementing measures to improve transparency around data usage and content moderation. The company has also faced regulatory scrutiny in various countries, including the United States and Europe, resulting in fines and other sanctions.

TikTok has also made efforts to address the concerns of western countries by increasing transparency around data privacy and security. They have hired third-party auditors to review their data security practices and have even set up a Transparency and Accountability Center in the United States. They have also made efforts to distance themselves from their Chinese ownership, with the creation of a new entity called TikTok Global, which is a partnership between ByteDance and US-based companies Oracle and Walmart.

Despite this, TikTok's popularity and influence continued to grow, with many users and creators expressing their support for the app. TikTok's algorithm, which uses artificial intelligence to personalize content for each user, has been praised for its ability to quickly and effectively surface engaging videos.

However, even with these efforts, the concerns around TikTok's ownership and data privacy may continue to be a challenge for the platform. As tensions between the United States and China continue, it is possible that TikTok may face further scrutiny or even be subject to another ban or restrictions. Additionally, competitors such as Instagram and YouTube have launched their own short-form video features, posing a threat to TikTok's dominance in the market.

In conclusion, while TikTok has faced significant backlash and concerns from western countries, it is unlikely that the platform will be completely shut down or disappear. TikTok's massive user base and popularity make it too important for both consumers and marketers to ignore. However, the platform may need to continue to address concerns around data privacy and security to maintain its position in the market. Additionally, the platform may face continued competition from other social media giants, requiring TikTok to stay innovative and relevant to its users.