The xenophobic, un-American TikTok ban

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the U.S. government's decision to require TikTok to relinquish its Chinese ownership or face a nationwide ban, as part of a foreign aid bill. It analyzes the motivations and implications behind this move, including concerns about data collection, propaganda, and xenophobia.

🙋 Q&A

[01] The Requirement for TikTok to Relinquish Chinese Ownership

1. What is the key issue discussed in this section?

• The U.S. government has signed into law a requirement for TikTok to relinquish its Chinese ownership or face a nationwide ban, as an add-on to a foreign aid bill.
• This move comes despite the fact that President Biden did not even mention the TikTok ban in his remarks when signing the bill.

2. What are the main concerns raised about TikTok?

• Concerns that TikTok will irresponsibly collect large amounts of data about Americans, unlike other social networks.
• Concerns that TikTok could be used to spread propaganda, unlike other social networks.
• The fact that TikTok is a Chinese, not American, company.

3. How does the article characterize the government's approach?

• The article suggests that the government's approach is driven by "xenophobic protectionism" rather than substantive concerns about TikTok.
• It draws parallels between the TikTok ban and China's Great Firewall, arguing that the U.S. is undermining the open internet in a similar way.

4. What is the article's perspective on the motivations behind the TikTok ban?

• The article suggests that the TikTok ban is more about fear of China than any specific harms caused by the platform.
• It argues that the "anti-China hysteria" may be grounded in xenophobia rather than legitimate concerns.

[02] Concerns About the TikTok Ban

1. What are the concerns raised about the potential consequences of the TikTok ban?

• The article suggests the TikTok ban could set a precedent for banning or forcing the divestment of other foreign services that threaten American incumbents.
• This could result in a "National Internet" that is culturally and economically cut off from the rest of the world, which the article describes as a "dystopian" outcome.

2. How does the article address the argument about TikTok's content?

• The article notes that some legislators have raised concerns about the "pro-Palestinian" content on TikTok.
• However, the article suggests that this argument may be used to "cover for" the fact that TikTok allows viewers to access a wider range of international viewpoints.

3. What is the article's overall perspective on the TikTok ban?

• The article concludes that the TikTok ban is "stupid" and a violation of democratic rights and free speech principles.
• It argues that the American people's interests are not aligned with the priorities of national politicians on this issue.