South Middlesex Times

President Biden has taken action to address concerns surrounding the popular video app TikTok by signing a bill that would force the sale of the app by its Chinese owner, ByteDance, or potentially ban it in the United States.

Ellen P. Goodman, a Distinguished Professor at Rutgers Law School, outlined the concerns that led to bipartisan support for the bill, stating, "The concerns are threefold: the Chinese government could obtain data about American citizens, the app could be used to spread propaganda to American citizens through algorithmic amplification, and related national security concerns around surveillance and disruptive communications."

Addressing the potential risk to users' data, Goodman explained, "American citizens' data can be bought and sold regardless of what social media platform they use or who owns it." She also emphasized the importance of data protection laws, stating, "Without stronger data protection laws, there is very little that individuals can do to protect their data."

Regarding the potential outcomes of the forced sale of TikTok, Goodman mentioned, "There is an opportunity for ByteDance to spin off TikTok to another buyer. It’s possible that users won’t really notice a significant change in the product."

When questioned about the legal basis for such actions, Goodman noted, "We will see if the restrictions on TikTok survive First Amendment challenge," highlighting precedents for restrictions on foreign ownership in media and telecommunications companies.

Looking ahead, Goodman expressed hope for legislative progress in data protection, saying, "I hope that one of the things that comes out of this is a greater willingness of the U.S. Congress to legislate in the area of data protection."

In conclusion, while the forced sale of TikTok addresses immediate concerns, there is a call for broader legislation to tackle data protection issues in social media platforms.