The government’s focus on TikTok as a national security threat is a prime example of how our leaders are fiddling while Rome burns. In the face of real problems, the government is spending precious time and resources on a social media app that poses a lot less threat to our national security than the economic and healthcare issues that should be a priority.
The primary concern of those who argue that Tik Tok is a national security threat is the app’s ownership by a Chinese company, ByteDance. It is argued that the Chinese government could use Tik Tok to gather data on American citizens and use it for nefarious purposes. However, there is no evidence to support this claim. In fact, ByteDance has repeatedly denied that it shares data with the Chinese government. Even if it does share data with China, do we honestly think they would learn a lot useful information about us than they already know? I realize the Chinese Government may get a pleasant chuckle seeing my history of watching funny cat videos, but I fail to see how that is a national security threat.
Another argument against Tik Tok is that it could be used to spread misinformation or propaganda. However, again, this concern is not unique to Tik Tok. The same argument could be made for any social media app, including Twitter and Facebook. It is up to individuals to be critical consumers of information and fact-check what they see online.
In addition, the argument that Tik Tok should not be on government phones is a moot point. The government has already banned Tik Tok from use on government-issued devices. Therefore, any potential national security threat posed by Tik Tok is already addressed. Frankly, any social media app on all government phones should be banned unless there is truly a valid reason to allow it.
Ultimately, the fear-mongering around Tik Tok seems to be more driven by political motives than actual evidence. The app has become a convenient target for those who want to stoke fears about Chinese influence and promote a nationalist agenda. However, it is important to base policy decisions on facts rather than baseless speculation.
While the economy is faltering, healthcare is in crisis, and our infrastructure is crumbling, the government is fixated on TikTok. The TikTok distraction is not only a waste of time and resources but also a dangerous diversion from the real problems facing our country. The government should be working to address these issues rather than getting bogged down in the minutiae of a social media app.
Moreover, the TikTok distraction is a symptom of a larger problem: the government’s lack of vision and leadership. Instead of tackling the root causes of our problems, they are content to play to the fears of the public and pursue superficial solutions. It is a disservice to the American people. As we move forward, we need leaders who are willing to tackle the hard issues and work towards real solutions that have an effect on the daily lives of the citizens they were elected to represent.