Half of People assist a US authorities ban of TikTok, the favored social video app that is going through intense scrutiny over issues associated to its Chinese language dad or mum firm ByteDance.
A brand new survey from the Pew Analysis Heart discovered that fifty% of People assist a ban on the app, compared to 22% who’re opposed. These numbers principally flip when simply individuals who use the app: 19% of grownup TikTok customers assist a authorities ban whereas 56% are opposed, in line with Pew.
TikTok has greater than 150 million month-to-month energetic customers within the US. Its recognition has prompted different social media platforms, together with Instagram and YouTube, to launch their very own TikTok-like brief video options.
TikTok is especially widespread with youthful individuals. A 2022 Pew survey discovered that 67% of teenagers ages 13 to 17 mentioned they used TikTok. This age group, nonetheless, wasn’t included in the latest survey a few authorities ban of the app. Performed March 20-26, the Pew effort surveyed greater than 3,500 US adults as a part of an evaluation of People’ overseas coverage attitudes.
TikTok is owned by Chinese language tech firm ByteDance. US officers are skeptical of ByteDance’s relationship with the Chinese language authorities and query whether or not US customers’ information is safe.
In November, FBI Director Christopher Wray mentioned the app might probably be used “to manage information assortment on tens of millions of customers, or management the advice algorithm, which could possibly be used for affect operations in the event that they so select, or to manage software program on tens of millions of units.”
Earlier this month, the Biden Administration threatened a ban on TikTok except ByteDance offered its stake to a US firm. The federal authorities has already handed a TikTok ban on authorities units.
Final week, TikTok Chief Govt Officer Shou Chew testified earlier than Congress. He mentioned TikTok has been “constructing what quantities to a firewall that seals off protected US consumer information from unauthorized overseas entry.” That effort, known as Challenge Texas, entails a US firm overseeing the info, Chew mentioned. TikTok has additionally mentioned up to now that US fears of the corporate being managed by the Chinese language authorities are unfounded.