TikTok Confusion Takes Center Stage

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In 2020, the United States government declared that TikTok might be banned due to an order given by the now re-appointed president Donald Trump. 

Last week, the government went through with getting TikTok banned because of the app being a national security threat to the United States. The threat was supposedly derived from the Chinese government getting information about the US from the app’s database. Millions of Americans use the app constantly and technology firm ByteDance that made TikTok is based in Beijing – where the Chinese government has access to the company. 

On January 18, 2025 TikTok was temporarily shut down for 24 hours which sent the internet into a frenzy, due to the thought that TikTok was gone forever. TikTok was removed from the app store along with two other popular apps that are closely associated with TikTok. 

At the time, it appeared the government determined that removing the app was in the best interest of the privacy and safety of all American citizens. 

TikTok is one app that teenagers and many others engage in frequently because of how it entertains and informs them in their free time. The idea of losing the app doesn’t sit well with many students, and adults who have made careers on the platform. 

“I feel like TikTok getting banned is too much because TikTok is basically another level of education for us,” said Ni’keria Lowery. “That’s where we learn so much.” 

While TikTok returned to the phones of millions of American users the next day, a potential ban is still very much on the table. 

Not only does the app provide education and entertainment to its users, but it also affords many an additional source of income. The lingering effects of a permanent ban would impact so many people in this country.


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