India’s TikTok Ban: Whose Side Are You On?

India’s decision to ban TikTok and several other Chinese apps has set an “incredibly important precedent” for other countries to follow, according to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Brendan Carr.

In an interview with Fox News, Carr praised India’s move as a necessary measure to protect the country’s security and sovereignty. He argued that TikTok and other Chinese apps pose a threat to user data privacy and could be used by the Chinese government for espionage and propaganda purposes.

Carr also called on the United States to take similar action against TikTok, saying that the app should be banned in the country due to its potential security risks. He urged the FCC to work with other agencies to investigate the app and determine the extent of the threat it poses.

Read more: TikTok Under Fire on Multiple Fronts As Child Safety Concerns Join Security Concerns

The FCC Commissioner’s comments come amid growing concern about the potential security risks posed by TikTok and other Chinese apps. The US government has already banned the app for use by federal employees, and President Donald Trump has threatened to ban the app outright.

Despite these concerns, TikTok has maintained that it is a safe and secure platform, and that it does not pose any threat to user data privacy or national security. The company has also pledged to work with governments and regulators to address any concerns they may have.

Should the United States ban TikTok? 

It is difficult to accurately predict the likelihood that the United States will ban TikTok outright following a December ban of the app from all government-issued cell phones. The decision to ban a platform or not depends on various factors, including national security concerns, political considerations, and the influence of interest groups. There have been calls from some politicians and government officials to ban TikTok due to concerns about its ownership by Chinese company ByteDance and potential security risks.

Read more: TikTok Owner ByteDance Fired 4 Employees Who Accessed Journalists’ Data

However, TikTok has also gained a significant following and has become a popular platform for social media influencers, celebrities, and everyday users. It is possible that the United States may take steps to restrict TikTok’s operations or require additional oversight, but a full ban is uncertain.