Rumors have been circulating relating to the possibility of the popular social media app “TikTok” being banned in the United States. Videos spreading around the social media platform relating to the possible ban have users panicked. However, the word “ban” may not be accurate for what is actually happening. 

The bill which is pending approval from the U.S. Senate, and has already obtained approval from the U.S. House of Representatives, states that TikTok will be banned for American users if TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, refuses to diverge from the company. America is using the threat of banning the app to attempt to force ByteDance to sell the social media platform to an American-run company. Meaning, the bill will only ban TikTok if ByteDance does not sell the company. 

“When I first heard about it, I thought TikTok would be gone for good all together,” said Elizabeth Przybylowski, junior. 

 Lawmakers claim the reasoning behind this is that since ByteDance is a Chinese company, Americans’ personal data is a risk and therefore could compromise national security. It is also claimed that with the algorithm China uses, they are able to influence individual American’s thoughts. The influence can be done by putting videos on users’ feeds that can turn them against the American government. Many say the possible influence over American opinions is especially relevant due to the upcoming presidential election of the U.S. government. However, there is minimal evidence that ByteDance is actually performing these acts. 

If the forced sale of TikTok is successful, America will then have the ability to control the algorithm and show American users only what they want the users to see. ByteDance argues that the bill being pushed through is actually a ban, no matter how many times American lawmakers have claimed it is not. Many users of TikTok feel as though if the sale of TikTok goes through, then the social media platform will not be the same. 

“I think if TikTok is sold, I wouldn’t enjoy using it as much. I think the algorithm would change to something I don’t like,” said Olivia Reeves, junior. 

Many users of TikTok, especially high school students, claim that there are rumors of TikTok possibly being banned every year.

“I’m not reacting as much as other people because I don’t think anything will actually happen. I can’t imagine something as big as TikTok being gone,” said Reeves.