The United States government recently announced the ban of the TikTok app, a measure that provoked a series of reactions both inside and outside the country. The decision was justified by concerns about national security and user data privacy, what, according to American authorities, would be collected and potentially used by the Chinese government
The ban on TikTok in the US is part of a broader strategy to contain China's technological influence, that includes restrictions on other Chinese companies. However, the measure has been the target of criticism from users, technology specialists and advocates of digital freedom. For many, the action represents a form of censorship and raises questions about the coherence of American policies regarding freedom of expression and privacy
In an article published by Folha de S.Paul, a reader criticized the stance of the USA, classifying the country as an example of "do what I say, but not what I do. The reader argues that, while the United States positions itself as a defender of freedom and democracy, the ban on TikTok reveals a contradiction in its internal practices
TikTok, that has millions of users in the USA, is especially popular among young people and teenagers, that use the platform to create and share short videos. The company behind the app, a ByteDance, has repeatedly denied the espionage allegations and claims that the data of American users is stored on servers located in the United States and Singapore, out of the reach of the Chinese government
The decision to ban TikTok also generated reactions in the American Congress, with some lawmakers arguing that the measure is necessary to protect national security, while others see it as an excess of government intervention. The debate extends beyond American borders, with other countries closely watching the developments and considering their own policies regarding foreign apps
As the discussion progresses, the central question remains: to what extent should governments intervene in the digital freedom of their citizens in the name of national security? And how to balance the protection of personal data with the principles of freedom of expression and technological innovation? These are questions that will continue to shape the global digital landscape in the coming years
https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/articles/c3w88zvj6wgo https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/paineldoleitor/2025/01/sobre-tiktok-banido-nos-eua-leitor-diz-que-pais-representa-o-faca-o-que-eu-digo-mas-nao-o-que-eu-faco.shtml
