In a significant change of stance, former US president Donald Trump declared his opposition to a TikTok ban on Monday, as the fate of the popular video-sharing platform became entangled in the US election campaign. Efforts to ban the Chinese-owned app, which have ebbed and flowed over the years, have resurfaced in the United States with the introduction of a bill in Congress that could compel TikTok to sever ties with its Chinese parent company, Bytedance.
The US House of Representatives is expected to vote on the bill this week, amidst intense lobbying from both sides, making the outcome uncertain. Trump’s position could be crucial for Republicans in this debate. Trump’s reversal came as a surprise, given his previous advocacy for separating TikTok from Bytedance during his presidency, a move halted by a US court. Concerns about national security have fueled the push for TikTok’s ban, with suspicions that its algorithms could be influenced by the Chinese Communist Party—a claim vehemently denied by the company.
President Joe Biden has thrown his support behind the bill, while also utilizing TikTok to connect with younger voters through video clips as part of his reelection strategy. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that the focus is on national security rather than outright app bans, citing concerns about ownership falling into the hands of entities that could pose a threat.
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Last year, the White House banned the use of TikTok on government-issued smartphones, reflecting broader apprehensions about the app’s security. However, a complete ban has been avoided thus far, amid fears in Washington of alienating influencers and the app’s 170 million US users, predominantly young people seen as crucial to Biden’s reelection bid.
Trump’s opposition to a TikTok ban is primarily attributed to his belief that it would benefit Meta, the parent company of Facebook, and its founder Mark Zuckerberg, whom he perceives as supporting Democrats.
Source: guardian.ng
