TikTok
TikTok is a major social media platform, formally known as Musical.ly, that primarily hosts short-form, vertical format videos. In 2021, Cloudflare named it the #1 website, which dethroned Google. It has since become the most popular social media platform and the starting point for many viral trends about food, culture, and dancing.
Being owned by the Chinese internet company Bytedance, it has come under scrutiny from the US government and other international governments as a potential security risk. From potential data security risks, mental health problems in youth, and the fear that China will spread misinformation through it, the US signed a law that would ban the app without a sale to a US company.
While the law is in place, President Trump has signed a 90-day extension in hopes of brokering a deal with a US company.
The TikTok ban has echoed the US government’s overall concerns with Chinese companies and products in the US. This includes drones made by DJI and Autel Robotics. Both drone manufacturers also face a ban if a government agency doesn’t conduct a security review by the end of the year.
