Banning TikTok is highly encouraged by many U.S. officials.
In this photo illustration, the social media application logo TikTok is displayed on the screen of an iPhone on an American flag background on August 3, 2020, in Arlington, Virginia.
This popular social media app is criticized by many because of its owner's alleged ties with China.
Although ByteDance always clarifies that they are not linked to the Asian country, criticisms remain.
However, Prof. Robert Olson, a senior computer science lecturer at the Rochester Institute of Technology, claimed that a wide TikTok ban could have dire consequences.
TikTok Ban Consequences
According to Gizmodo's latest report, TikTok could be banned in numerous ways.
A supporter holds up a sign that reads "TikTok" during a news conference on TikTok in front of the U.S. Capitol on March 22, 2023, in Washington, DC. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee tomorrow on whether the video-sharing app safeguards user data.
Also Read: Missouri Senator's Push for U.S. TikTok Ban Blocked by Fellow Republican
However, these methods could also lead to cybersecurity consequences.
Here are the possible TikTok banning methods and their potential cybersecurity risks, as provided by Prof. Olsen:
- Method: Filtering TikTok-destined addresses
- Risk: Could encourage the use of VPNs in the United States and other countries
- Method: Removing TikTok from Google Play Store and Apple App Store
- Risk: Users could lean towards sideloading, which allows devices to install apps from unsafe third-party providers.
- Method: Removing the TikTok app directly from personal devices
- Risk: This could force many users to disable essential security features like Google Play Protect.
These are just some of the alleged cybersecurity consequences that could happen if TikTok is ever banned across the globe.
TikTok Banned in Personal Devices
According to BBC, Montana is the first U.S. state to ban TikTok from personal devices. Legislation banning social media apps on citizens' gadgets was already passed.
As of writing, Montan residents are still waiting for Governor Greg Gianforte to sign it into law. Once it happens, the TikTok ban could start as early as January 2023. Of course, ByteDance will make efforts to prevent this from happening.
The company said it would take legal action to prevent the Montana bill from becoming law.
In other news, TikTok's CEO Shou Zi Chew said they plan to delete U.U.S.ser data from their servers as part of Project Texas.
Recently, a study claimed that TikTok labels for Russian state propaganda accounts are inconsistent.
For more news updates about TikTok and other social media platforms, keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
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