U.S. TikTok Ban Sparks Debate on Privacy, Business Impact, and National Security

Due to a Supreme Court decision, TikTok was temporarily banned in the United States on Jan. 18, 2025. The ban was driven by security and safety concerns, as the U.S. government believed that China’s government and TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, could access users’ data, potentially violating citizens’ privacy.

 “I did have a habit of clicking on the app when I was bored but was not too upset over it,” said Darrian Lynch, a junior in the secondary education program at Pitt-Greensburg. “I feel like most apps know too much about everyone, and no matter what, data leakage will not be fixed. Plus, I would not have anything to hide if my information leaked. Overall, this did not affect me much.”

The ban impacted many people, including college students who use the app. Some content creators feared the ban could affect their income if it becomes permanent. Others have switched to platforms like Instagram. TikTok has seen its profits grow significantly over the years, and such a switch would hurt its revenue, which is why the company is protesting the ban in the U.S.

“The TikTok ban has impacted my family business and I. We use the app often to promote our small business. I also personally enjoy using the app to relax after a stressful day,” said Katherine Dansak, a junior in the business management program at Pitt-Greensburg. “I think that any privacy leaking could be a concern for America, but I also believe that if our governors and presidents are using the app, then it might not be as big of a concern as we think to them.”

Although the ban lasted only a few hours, the disruption to TikTok’s activity was notable. Users who rely on the platform to advertise their businesses faced significant concerns during the outage.

TikTok users have noticed global disruptions, highlighting the app’s operational connection to ByteDance. The company denies allegations of data misuse, stating that all U.S. user data is stored on American servers and has no foreign correlation.

The ban’s implications could reshape how governments regulate foreign-owned technology, leading to stricter policies in the tech industry. TikTok users and industry leaders are monitoring the situation closely to assess the long-term effects of a potential permanent ban.

Since politics played a significant role in the ban, many are closely watching what President Donald Trump says about TikTok’s future. The ban has had a wide-reaching impact on data security, global trade, marketing, and international relations. It also raises concerns about censorship and how content is shared.

The growing tension between technology, national security, and international politics will continue as negotiations unfold. The U.S. government has yet to decide TikTok’s future in the country.