TikTok ban

Will TikTok Really Be Banned In The U.S.?

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The immensely popular video-sharing app TikTok has been under intense scrutiny in the United States due to concerns over data privacy and national security. In April 2024, President Biden signed into law legislation that requires ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company in China, to divest from the app or face a nationwide ban. As the fate of TikTok hangs in the balance, many wonder if the app will truly be illegal in the U.S. 

The TikTok Bill & Its Implications

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, included in a $95 billion foreign aid package, gives ByteDance 270 days to sell TikTok. It includes a possible 90-day extension if needed. If ByteDance fails to comply, TikTok could be banned nationwide. The bill has gained bipartisan support. Lawmakers have expressed concerns over the potential for the Chinese government to access sensitive user data through the app. This legislation marks an important step in the U.S. government’s efforts to address the concerns of foreign-owned tech companies, particularly those with ties to China.

TikTok has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, arguing that the law is unconstitutional and violates the First Amendment. The company’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, has said that TikTok users will continue to have access to the platform as the bill is challenged in court. The outcome of this legal battle remains uncertain, and the case could potentially end up before the Supreme Court. It is likely that the legal process will be lengthy and complex. There will be a need for courts to strike a balance between national security concerns and the protection of free speech and due process.

Data Privacy Concerns & Comparisons

Intelligence officials have not provided direct evidence of data transfer between TikTok and the Chinese government. However, they have stressed the potential risks. TikTok’s data collection practices, while extensive, are not entirely unique among social media platforms. The data collected by TikTok “pales in comparison” to the information already available for purchase through U.S.-based data brokers, per Nebraska Examiner. This raises questions about the singling out of TikTok and whether the focus should be on strengthening overall data privacy laws rather than targeting a specific app.

If ByteDance is forced to sell TikTok, potential buyers could include large tech companies like Microsoft, Oracle, and Walmart. They would also include wealthy individuals and investment groups. However, the sale of TikTok to prevent a ban faces several obstacles. This includes the transfer of its algorithm, which is a key component of the app’s success. China would likely have to approve the transfer of the algorithm, a move that experts believe is unlikely, according to CNBC. Additionally, TikTok’s estimated $100 billion value could limit the pool of potential buyers to the world’s wealthiest individuals and companies.

Enforcement Challenges

Enforcing a nationwide ban on TikTok could prove challenging for the U.S. government. App stores like Google Play and Apple’s App Store could be compelled to remove the app. But this would not remove TikTok from phones that already have it installed, per TechTarget. Additionally, users could potentially circumvent a TikTok ban by using VPNs or alternative app stores. This would require some technical knowledge. There are also questions about TikTok’s effectiveness in protecting national security and privacy.

The future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain. The company continues to navigate legal challenges and faces pressure from lawmakers and lobbying groups. While data privacy concerns are valid, some argue that the focus should be on addressing the laws rather than singling out TikTok. As a result of this confrontation, TikTok and its users will be adversely affected. It will also change how the U.S. government approaches data privacy issues in the future. Regardless of the decision, the TikTok ban raises critical questions about balancing national security, free speech, and social media’s evolving landscape.

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TikTok Will Have Ariana Grande, The Weeknd And More Back On The Platform After Striking New Deal

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A major battle over the future of how music is used on social media and how labels are paid for it may have just come to a close. After months of speculation about what Universal Music Group would do if they couldn’t come to an agreement with social media platform TikTok. The conflict was over paying out royalties for song use and the deal collapsed. As a result, UMG removed their music catalog from the app earlier this year. Fans were left unable to add songs from some of their favorite artists to their videos and found some of their older clips entirely muted.

That was months ago and there hadn’t been many updates since. That was at least until earlier this week when the label and social media platform surprised fans. They made the announcement that a new deal had been reached that would return all of UMG’s songs to the platform. The change hasn’t been fully enacted yet with some users still finding older videos in their catalog muted. It’s expected that the music will return to the platform within one to two weeks. The companies declined to release any hard financial data about the agreement they came to.

Read More: Too Short Speaks On TikTok Music And Embracing The New Age Sound

UMG and TikTok Reach New Agreement

The future of the entire TikTok platform could be in Jeopardy after a recent piece of legislation passed in the United States. Last month, President Biden signed a new bill into law that’s attempting to ban the platform. They’re calling for it to be removed unless its sold to new ownership. Experts claim that fans of the social media app won’t have to worry about it disappearing any time soon. Regardless the long term stability of the platform was certainly rocked by the ruling. That made the short term win of returning music to the platform a much needed victory.

What do you think of Universal Music Group and TikTok finally reaching an agreement to bring all of the labels songs to the platform? Do you think the debacle will lead other labels to try similar tactics when negotiating with the social media app? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: JT Gets Creative In Overcoming TikTok & UMG Dispute

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Soulja Boy Has Fans Feeling Skeptical After Expressing Interest In Buying TikTok

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Soulja Boy is an artist who has had many of his songs go viral over the years. Overall, virality has been a massive part of the Soulja Boy brand. However, there is no doubt that there are limits to this. This is especially true with the latest news pertaining to none other than TikTok. The platform is set to be banned in the United States of the company refuses to get a new owner. Ultimately, this is a massive issue and a lot of people are upset with the government for doing this. That said, President Joe Biden has signed off on it, which means it is law.

Yesterday, Soulja Boy lamented how much he hates the decision. In the tweets collected below by DJ Akademiks, Soulja explained just how bad this precedent is. Essentially, the government can decide to ban any app at any time, if they so choose. This subsequently led to the artist saying that he would be down to go out and buy TikTok if given the opportunity. Of course, this would be a massive purchase for Soulja Boy, although one that probably isn’t affordable without an absurd loan of some sort.

Read More: Blueface Challenges Soulja Boy To A Fight

Soulja Boy Speaks

Fans noted that Soulja Boy likely doesn’t have the funds for such a purchase. “I don’t think he knows how much tiktok is worth,” one person wrote. “Bro makes so much money from tik tok hes just worry about that,” said another. Others had interesting insights about the platform and how the governments in other countries have effectively shut down American platforms. Either way, things are not looking good for TikTok right now, no matter how you swing it.

Let us know what you think about the TikTok ban and some of Soulja Boy’s plans, in the comments section down below. Do you believe that TikTok will eventually sell so it can stay in the United States? Or is it destined to fail right now? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.

Read More: Soulja Boy Apologizes To J. Cole: “Sorry For The Confusion”

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“TikTok Ban” Bill Sparks US Interest In Buying Popular App

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A US group led by former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin has announced their intention to mount a bid to buy TikTok. Mnuchin revealed the plan while appearing on CNBC’s Squawk Box. Mnuchin, who gained notoriety for his OneWestBank firm during the 2008 recession, was one of the few cabinet secretaries to see out Donald Trump‘s entire term in office.

The news comes a day after a bipartisan bill that could see TikTok banned in the United States passed the US House of Representatives by a vote of 325-65. The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act would demand that TikTok divest from its Chinese parent company. If the company refused, the app would become unavailable in the United States. The bill was proposed on the basis of protecting the data of American users from the Chinese. However, many opponents have labeled the bill as Sinophobic fearmongering.

Read More: Matt Rife’s TikTok Feud With A Six-Year-Old Leads To More Backlash For The Comedian

TikTok Ban Faces Tough Senate Fight

However, the popular short-form video app is safe for the time being. The bill must now pass the Senate, where there is much less clear-cut support for the legislation. A spokesperson for Tiktok has already urged senators to reject the bill. “This process was secret and the bill was jammed through for one reason: It’s a ban. We are hopeful the Senate will consider the facts, listen to their constituents, and realize the impact on the economy. Seven million small businesses and 170 million Americans use our service,” the spokesperson told the BBC. A vote has not yet been tabled for the bill.

TikTok is currently owned by Chinese firm ByteDance. However, the bill has been mired in controversy. The sinophobia claims were at their highest during the Congressional questioning of TikTok CEO, Shou Chew. Chew was asked constantly about his loyalties to China, despite being from Singapore. The questioning also came at a time when many in Congress were pushing a “Stop Asian Hate” campaign, which starkly contrasted their treatment of Chew.

Read More: Travis Kelce & Chiefs Teammates Swap Friendship Bracelets In Taylor Swift-Inspired TikTok

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“TikTok Ban” Passes US House Of Representatives

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A bipartisan bill that could see TikTok banned in the United States has passed the US House of Representatives by a vote of 325-65. The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act would demand that TikTok divest from its Chinese parent company. If the company refused, the app would become unavailable in the United States. The bill was proposed on the basis of protecting the data of American users from the Chinese. However, many opponents have labeled the bill as Sinophobic fearmongering.

However, the popular short-form video app is safe for the time being. The bill must now pass the Senate, where there is much less clear-cut support for the legislation. A spokesperson for Tiktok has already urged senators to reject the bill. “This process was secret and the bill was jammed through for one reason: It’s a ban. We are hopeful the Senate will consider the facts, listen to their constituents, and realize the impact on the economy. Seven million small businesses and 170 million Americans use our service,” the spokesperson told the BBC.

Read More: TikToker Roasted After Trying To Shame Steph Curry For “Ignoring” 8-Year-Old

Joe Biden’s Energetic State Of The Union Has Republicans Pedaling Cocaine Conspiracies

Of course, it’s been a busy week in US politics. After months of theories claiming that President Joe Biden had dementia, Republicans pivoted to a new attack after an energetic State of the Union address last week. Several Republican influencers, highlighted by Media Matters For America‘s Matthew Gertz, began suggesting that Biden was under the influence. “I think I just got to the bottom of the untraceable little baggie found at the White House,” wrote Fox host Julie Banderas.

Biden, who finds himself between right-wing critics attacking him on border control and left-wing critics attacking him on Gaza, came out swinging in his annual address to Congress. Furthermore, amongst the topics addressed were a warning to Vladimir Putin, a promise to restore Roe v. Wade, and the announcement of a temporary seaport to circumvent the Israeli blockade of Gaza. However, the official Republican response, delivered by Alabama Senator Katie Britt, took aim at Biden’s immigration record and tried to champion the GOP as the “defenders of women”.

Read More: Joe Biden Continues To Ride State Of The Union High, Hits Donald Trump With Attack Ad Comparing His Attitude To The KKK

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TikTok Sues The State Of Montana After App Is Banned

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Could TikTok be Chinese spyware? Concerns have been raised by U.S. politicians regarding the potential access of TikTok user data by the Chinese government. They fear its potential use for intelligence or propaganda purposes. However, there is currently a lack of evidence substantiating the claim that the Chinese government has obtained such information. FBI Director Christopher Wray has testified before Congress to that end. According to him, if such access were indeed occurring, it might not manifest obvious signs or indications. However, many politicians have shown support for a nationwide ban. Some states, such as Montana, have taken action to ban the app completely.

On the other hand, technology industry group NetChoice has voiced their opposition to banning TikTok. They have emphasized the potential establishment of a dangerous precedent. They argue that such a move would enable the government to prohibit any business it dislikes without the presence of sufficient evidence to support allegations of wrongdoing. Carl Szabo, the vice president and general counsel of NetChoice, underlined that the U.S. Constitution explicitly forbids lawmakers from passing laws that criminalize specific individuals or businesses. He called upon Montana Governor Greg Gianforte to veto the legislation, asserting its clear unconstitutionality. That call was unsuccessful, and the TikTok ban was signed into law and is due to take effect at the beginning of 2024.

TikTok Goes Head To Head With Montana

The TikTok logo is displayed outside a TikTok office on December 20, 2022 in Culver City, California. Congress is pushing legislation to ban the popular Chinese-owned social media app from most government devices. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

According to NPR, TikTok has filed a lawsuit against the state of Montana in federal court, aiming to overturn a new law that prohibits the social media app within the state. The company argues in its filing that the bill is censorious and infringes on the freedom of speech protected by the First Amendment. With over 150 million American users, TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, seeks to protect its business and the hundreds of thousands of users in Montana through this legal challenge. The company expresses confidence in the strength of legal precedents and facts supporting their case.

The Montana state government views TikTok’s association with ByteDance, a Chinese-owned company, as a security concern for its citizens. However, TikTok disputes this characterization, asserting that the state’s extraordinary measures are based on baseless speculation. Governor Greg Gianforte signed Montana’s TikTok ban into law, set to take effect on January 1, 2024. If the ban withstands legal challenges, companies hosting app stores that sell TikTok could face daily fines of $10,000.

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