Most of what springs from the minds of US senators on technology is utter nonsense.
How exactly is this 'data' supposed to be weaponised?
That's exactly what many of us in the US think. At yet, out of this "utter nonsense", we might end up with laws (like the ones in the EU), regulating US tech companies.
There're many here on this forum, that are glad we agree on something.
BTW- Our elected US Representatives don't fare any better.
Another politically "hot button" article under which comments are finally allowed. Great work keeping the liberty going, AppleInsider!
Now, as to China gather info on "Americans," it should be understood that those Americans are not EVERY American, but instead younger people who throw caution to the wind for the sake of people popular. I don't use TikTok and have zero intention of ever using it. Heck, I don't use Twitter but once in a blue moon to enter a contest, although I do use FaceBook. I also have a YouTube channel. I don't use Instagram because I prefer Flickr. And the list goes on. I doubt I am alone. So it's not like the entire USA is moving to TikTok. But let's say most Americans will eventually contract the same Brain Cloud as the younger generation and start the silly TikTok addiction. Well, it's their choice. It's like drinking alcohol. I personally don't drink the horrid stuff but many do, and we know how the prohibition went in the past, right? Ditto for smoking. It's a stupid thing to do and it's even worse than alcohol because it is sadly breathed in by people around you, yet tobacco isn't banned completely.
So basically we have the US government stepping in and saying, "Americans are stupid because they use TikTok, and we must forcefully help them avoid the consequences of that stupidity." Big Brother then tries to strong-arm US companies like Google and Apple into doing its bidding, which is in and of itself "weaponization."
I'm no fan of TikTok, alcohol or smoking, but I dare say it has series implications on individual liberty when you take the iron fist of government to step in and stop people from engaging in those stupid addictions. While it may be an exercise in futility in light of how human beings love their awful addictions, we still need to preach the merits of not using TikTok, not getting ourselves drunk, and not smoking cancer sticks, for the good of ourselves and others around us. We can do that without any new laws, regulations or punishments for non-compliance to the dictations of Uncle Sam.
Any young American got hurt by TikTok? If there is a single confirmed case then it is enough to outlaw TikTok.
The Blackout challenge Benadryl challenge Skull breaker challenge Fire challenge Cha Cha slide challenge Penny challenge
just to name a few. Also, causing a continual shortening of the attention span of kids is pretty well documented.
Really? Can you show the lawsuits?
Not sure where you’re from; don’t really care. But where I live, I’m still free to pick up a newspaper and read it. Do your own research or go away.
There are a sea of newspapers. There is no way you can get the truth from them because many of them are distorting and exaggerating or simply lying.
People forget that the US forces pretty much all international banks to share banking info with them or face punishment and fines. Worried about app then don’t download it. It does not come pre-installed on smartphones like Facebook did with no uninstall option.
Social media is the equivalent of rock'n'roll music in the 50's. Adults wanted it banned, but there was no turning the tide. Same with social media, not turning back.
The problem with restricting/banning things is that once you start where to stop. While everyone agrees the government should be able to restrict some things with laws (such as crime) and require others (paying taxes), it should be as little as possible. Once the government gets the first app banned the second will be a lot easier to justify and implement.
Comments
There're many here on this forum, that are glad we agree on something.
BTW- Our elected US Representatives don't fare any better.
The problem with restricting/banning things is that once you start where to stop. While everyone agrees the government should be able to restrict some things with laws (such as crime) and require others (paying taxes), it should be as little as possible. Once the government gets the first app banned the second will be a lot easier to justify and implement.