What If TikTok Was Banned?

Do you realize that while you think you're watching TikTok, the truth is that TikTok is watching you? Those entertaining and adorable videos come at a high cost—your privacy. However, imagine a world where this app is permanently banned. You might actually be better off without it. How exactly does TikTok invade your privacy? Could excessive consumption of TikToks harm your health? And would banning the app solve anything? In this "what if" scenario, let's explore the consequences of a TikTok ban.

TikTok has become a global phenomenon, with over 3 billion downloads in just four years. What initially started as a lip-syncing video sharing service has transformed into one of the largest media companies worldwide. Your entire family is likely scrolling through TikTok videos at this very moment. But have you ever wondered why you're so captivated by the screen? The app's algorithm is constantly learning and dedicated to providing you with instant gratification. It knows what you want and when you want it, always catering to your desires.

However, behind the scenes, a monstrous entity is formed. Your personal information is stored in the digital realm, a concept that can be quite frightening. Data brokers, online companies that collect personal information, thrive on this business model. They gather your data and sell it to anyone willing to pay, including potentially malicious individuals. Some data brokers have even collaborated with scammers, knowingly selling user data for fraudulent purposes. The consequences can range from fake prizes and auto warranties to non-existent medical cures. Thankfully, there are companies like Incogni, our sponsor, which work tirelessly to remove your information from these databases. Incogni's advanced automated system conducts ongoing removals, keeping your data off the market and providing you with peace of mind.

Let's return to TikTok and shed light on its operations. The company is headquartered in Beijing, China, meaning that the private data of over 3 billion users belongs to a company subject to the whims of a strict and often totalitarian government. Chinese laws mandate that if the government demands access to data, TikTok must comply swiftly. Consequently, your digital life would be at the mercy of President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government.

While there is currently no evidence of TikTok spying on users, the app does collect information about your phone, usage patterns, and locations. It even utilizes third-party tracking services, allowing a foreign government to know your whereabouts at all times. Although China has not been implicated in any data misuse, other countries have taken precautionary measures. India, for example, banned TikTok and other Chinese apps, citing concerns over data theft by the Chinese government. Former U.S. President Trump also contemplated banning the social media platform.

So, what if the United States were to ban TikTok? Not only would your favorite content creators need to find new career paths rapidly, but lesser-known creators would also face similar challenges. Many of these overnight sensations earn substantial sums of money per post, and cutting off their income streams would instantly jeopardize their fame and fortunes. Moreover, approximately one-third of TikTok users rely on the platform as a news source. Severing access to this information pipeline could be detrimental. TikTok fosters online communities centered around knowledge sharing, life hacks, and even medical advice. The dissolution of these groups and their creators could result in their disappearance from the internet.

Apart from the impact on content creators and online communities, a TikTok ban could potentially lead to a cultural shift. The addictive nature of TikTok, fueled by its algorithm that provides a constant dopamine rush, could diminish. Without a substitute app to fill the void, people may spend less time on their phones. Surprisingly, this could yield societal benefits. For instance, in 2021, neurologists observed an increase in teenage girls exhibiting symptoms resembling Tourette Syndrome, such as uncontrollable sounds or movements. However, these girls did not have the disorder; they experienced a sociogenic illness. The girls had watched countless TikToks about Tourette's syndrome and other disorders to the point where they believed they had the condition. TikTok's algorithm inundated them with specialized content, affecting their minds and bodies. With the absence of TikTok's incessant supply of information, some individuals' mental health could improve.

While the U.S. federal government cannot enforce a nationwide ban on TikTok, restrictions have been imposed on government-owned devices. If you use a device owned by the United States government, a law prohibits accessing TikTok, and certain states have implemented similar bans. However, these measures hold limited significance as individuals can still use the app via virtual private networks (VPNs). Nevertheless, reduced screen time resulting from a TikTok ban could lead to increased interpersonal connections and potentially contribute to a population boom.

A hypothetical ban on TikTok would have far-reaching consequences. Content creators, communities, and news consumers would need to adapt to alternative platforms or face obscurity. The addictive nature of TikTok's algorithm could wane, potentially benefiting mental health. However, the complexities surrounding privacy, government influence, and societal changes make the implications of a TikTok ban multifaceted.

Now, what if we had a ban on making babies for at least 50 years? Let's keep the lights on and stay put there Romeo for that is another story for next time.