By: Sophia Volpe

Popular social media interface TikTok has taken over the world since its release in September 2016. This app has had a chokehold on society since its rise to fame. But, just like every multi-million dollar app downloaded over 210 million times in America alone, TikTok is nothing short of controversial. 

Rumors have been circulating for some time now on whether or not TikTok will be banned; however, recently it has caught the attention of news outlets and even has popular content creators dropping their handles for other social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter in case the app does become banned. 

Why would it be banned though?

The biggest concern our government has is security risks. TikTok is owned by a company that is based in China. Our country, as well as other countries, is worried about the Chinese government ordering ByteDance, TikTok’s base company, to hand over users’ data. 

TikTok collects a wide variety of information on users. According to Cybersecurity expert, Will Gragido says TikTok collects “statistical information, demographic information, your likes, your dislikes, who your contacts are that are already on the platform.” 

The Chinese government would not just be getting hold of what I am sure are some embarrassing dancing drafts people have saved. Still, as Gragido said, there is sensitive user information that Americans do not want the Chinese to get ahold of. 

What would happen if TikTok was banned? Would people spend more time outside or off their phones instead of the constant scrolling TikTok has society hooked on? What are your opinions on the supposed TikTok ban that is hanging over the heads of the US government and app users alike?