Every Friday, I present a topic or question for our merry band of thinkers, leaders, and pirates to discuss in an open thread. Here is this week’s conversation starter:
President Biden has reportedly scuttled the sale of TikTok to Oracle and to Walmart, and is considering completely banning the social media company from the United States.
Question: Should TikTok be banned in the US? Why or why not?
My knowledge of Tik Tok is very limited, but if a China owned company in anyway is connected to the government I would ban them. Without knowing the data that would be made available to a government that has no respect for privacy I think it foolish to use them. Now if a US company can purchase and sever all ties to China I see no reason to prevent that.
CCP will not accept US preconditions for the sale to US companies and the US will not allow the sale without those conditions. China cannot allow the precedent of being forced to sell one of their marque companies and the US cannot allow the company to operate in the US while still subject to Chinese law.
As true conservatives and republicans, we have to make sure we differentiate between what we believe is wrong and what wee should control, otherwise we become like the democratic party, wanting control over everything. TikTok shouldn't be banned, but we should make sure that the spying and data collecting are highly publicized, so everyone goes in eyes wide open. If you want to use it (I don't), fine, but beware the consequences. Also, if there are technical mechanisms to prevent the spying (or minimize) we could use them. For example, Zoom allowing users to choose a proxy server in the US, NOT in China - I'm not endorsing it as guaranteed effective, but it's a good example of a measure to take.
A Chinese owned or operated TikTok should be banned. The Chinese can use this platform to spread disinformation with phony videos and thereby attempt to control the US populations which is very gullible. We have enough of this already dealing with Facebook and Twitter. Why add the Chinese?
Of course it should be banned until a company outside the PRC purchases it. When President Obama shut down the F-22 and hypersonic missile programs the PRC upped production of their new fighters and upped development of their hypersonic missile. They now have the largest army, navy and air force in the world. They’ve intimidated the U.S. into backing off the “Gang of 4” efforts to keep China from intimidating Japan, South Korea, etc. and invading Taiwan. And finally, their cyber penetrations of the U.S. government and industry have been incredibly successful. Anyone who thinks the PRC is just a competitor and not an aggressive enemy is either wearing blinders or already under the thumb of the government in Beijing.
Yes, absolutely we should ban TikTok. We should ban all foreign apps that collect data on Americans. Frankly, we need to crackdown on all apps that collect data without express permission by the user, too. These pop up ads related to verbal discussions are evidence of big tech listening without permission.
James, have you seen this memo from the "China Strategy Group" that was put together by Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen? It provides a number of interesting recommendations along the lines of what you're calling for.
My knowledge of Tik Tok is very limited, but if a China owned company in anyway is connected to the government I would ban them. Without knowing the data that would be made available to a government that has no respect for privacy I think it foolish to use them. Now if a US company can purchase and sever all ties to China I see no reason to prevent that.
Good point - why block the purchase?
CCP will not accept US preconditions for the sale to US companies and the US will not allow the sale without those conditions. China cannot allow the precedent of being forced to sell one of their marque companies and the US cannot allow the company to operate in the US while still subject to Chinese law.
As true conservatives and republicans, we have to make sure we differentiate between what we believe is wrong and what wee should control, otherwise we become like the democratic party, wanting control over everything. TikTok shouldn't be banned, but we should make sure that the spying and data collecting are highly publicized, so everyone goes in eyes wide open. If you want to use it (I don't), fine, but beware the consequences. Also, if there are technical mechanisms to prevent the spying (or minimize) we could use them. For example, Zoom allowing users to choose a proxy server in the US, NOT in China - I'm not endorsing it as guaranteed effective, but it's a good example of a measure to take.
All good points, Joe. One note: not all of my 8K+ subscribers are conservatives or republicans. But again, you're comments are very helpful. Thanks!
Good point, oversight on my part...
Agreed!!!
A Chinese owned or operated TikTok should be banned. The Chinese can use this platform to spread disinformation with phony videos and thereby attempt to control the US populations which is very gullible. We have enough of this already dealing with Facebook and Twitter. Why add the Chinese?
Yes - They are the data mining arm of the Chinese Communist Party.
Of course it should be banned until a company outside the PRC purchases it. When President Obama shut down the F-22 and hypersonic missile programs the PRC upped production of their new fighters and upped development of their hypersonic missile. They now have the largest army, navy and air force in the world. They’ve intimidated the U.S. into backing off the “Gang of 4” efforts to keep China from intimidating Japan, South Korea, etc. and invading Taiwan. And finally, their cyber penetrations of the U.S. government and industry have been incredibly successful. Anyone who thinks the PRC is just a competitor and not an aggressive enemy is either wearing blinders or already under the thumb of the government in Beijing.
Yes, absolutely we should ban TikTok. We should ban all foreign apps that collect data on Americans. Frankly, we need to crackdown on all apps that collect data without express permission by the user, too. These pop up ads related to verbal discussions are evidence of big tech listening without permission.
James, have you seen this memo from the "China Strategy Group" that was put together by Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen? It provides a number of interesting recommendations along the lines of what you're calling for.
https://beta.documentcloud.org/documents/20463382-final-memo-china-strategy-group-axios-1
Excellent Report! some good thought-provoking points.