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The Potential US TikTok Ban — and What’s at Stake | Clay Shirky | TED

The clock is ticking on social media giant TikTok, which faces a nationwide ban in the United States unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells it by January 19. Social media theorist Clay Shirky unpacks why the US is trying to ban TikTok, what it means for the app’s users and creators and the implications for…

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The clock is ticking on social media giant TikTok, which faces a nationwide ban in the United States unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells it by January 19. Social media theorist Clay Shirky unpacks why the US is trying to ban TikTok, what it means for the app’s users and creators and the implications for national security, freedom of speech, US-China relations and more. (This interview, hosted by TED’s Whitney Pennington Rodgers, was recorded on January 8, 2025.)

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52 Comments

52 Comments

  1. @Xrider6

    January 9, 2025 at 10:52 pm

    They said this 2 years ago. Doubt it

  2. @WheelsGunsShoes

    January 9, 2025 at 11:22 pm

    TikTok is terrible, and it might be in Singapore, yet parent companies get all the access; meaning China. Also TikTok takes all your photos and videos even the ones you don’t upload, so it “goes faster” if you decide to place it on their platform. Limit your photos access.

    • @asy9423

      January 10, 2025 at 1:33 am

      How about USA ? I gave all the information to your country

    • @-DM

      January 10, 2025 at 2:29 am

      @@asy9423 Enemies of the US do ban US owned social media for the same reasons. Data privacy is something everyone has to worry about. I’d recommend that everyone be careful when providing personal data to companies, no matter your country of residence.

  3. @peterston4039

    January 9, 2025 at 11:37 pm

    The issue is not freedom of speech, the issue is who has access to whatever data of the people. The main problem in the US itself is, there is next to no protection for the users as a money generator. They can do pretty much as they see fit. Collect anything they want, sell it to anyone willing to pay, and the user has next to no rights at all. Again, we failed to hold our elected officials accountable fo the job we supposedly elect them to do. But since there is big money involved, we only get to vote on already preselected people, approved by big money.
    We need better privacy protection laws across the board for any media, social or otherwise.

    • @durragas4671

      January 10, 2025 at 4:12 am

      I think the data issue is just a cover-up. Read about what happened with the Romanian elections just a couple of months ago. In short, elections had to be canceled because a TikTok candidate no-one was supporting (had zero donations declared) – was winning. It was then discovered a tiktok campaign supported by russia and allowed to happen by tiktok (Chinese governemnt) propelled his hashtag to TOP 7 in the WORLD. – so allowing tiktok in your country pretty much allows china and by extension russia to heavily influence elections. Putin laughed about it.

    • @mallkrawlerz620

      January 10, 2025 at 11:24 am

      No no no. This goes beyond your level of intelligence.

      Tik tok is taking over the Facebook ig market in the US. If this continues the biggest market holder (meta) in the US will be hurting. If you take into Consideration that meta is one of the 7 biggest American market composers, then you’ll understand that if Facebook is hurting, AMERICA will be hurting too. Bad.

    • @GraniteInTheFace

      January 10, 2025 at 12:47 pm

      No this is a anti Israel issue. You are an antis-mite if you don’t support this ban

  4. @theanomymoust393

    January 9, 2025 at 11:44 pm

  5. @jeffscalfano3100

    January 10, 2025 at 12:12 am

    Please ban that absolute crap so i can have my wife back.

    • @shellym4241

      January 10, 2025 at 3:13 pm

      Lol!

  6. @asy9423

    January 10, 2025 at 1:29 am

    Instagram and Fackbook also took another coutries’ personal data , right?
    If not it is because US companies follow the international law they made, so they are innocent toward that issues? I mean sometimes USA said it is international law and sometimes it is their national security issues, for me as foreigner they just treat and use the terms of international law as their taste

    Who made this international law?
    Why does USA say their national security at this moment and how about my personal information that I gave to Mirosoft, Apple etc as S korean..

    Who made the rule and why it is matter right now?

    • @-DM

      January 10, 2025 at 2:13 am

      @@asy9423 Both Russia and China ban Facebook and YouTube for those same reasons.

    • @MartinNelson

      January 10, 2025 at 6:26 am

      The difference here is that Facebook/Meta isn’t turning round and giving the data freely to the US government. In fact most civilised countries, things like warrants or court orders would be required to hand over data. In the UK for example (and most of the EU), data protection and GDPR are incredibly fierce, and Facebook/Meta are legally required to protect said data carefully, sadly the likes of TikTok basically ignore these data protection measures. In China, where TikTok and ByteDance are both headquartered the law structured such that companies are legally required to hand over any data requested by the Chinese Government.

  7. @ructh

    January 10, 2025 at 2:07 am

    The best way to ensure freedom of speech is to let the ccp influence it. They do such great work in China!

  8. @Moorhhhh

    January 10, 2025 at 3:20 am

    Who cares people need to GET OFF THE INTERNET!!! The internet, social media and reality tv have ruined everything. The digital age, technology has been so divisive. Get off screens and go live life!

  9. @durragas4671

    January 10, 2025 at 4:13 am

    It’s not even about data. It’s about media control. Can’t have a company controlled by china brainwash the American people. Not saying it’s the right thing to do but this is definitely why they are banning it.

    • @_BangDroid_

      January 10, 2025 at 9:42 am

      That’s part of it, but TikTok is also banned in China, they have their own version but it’s educational and nothing like their export version, which is like a form of crack melting the brains of Americans, weakening the West. It also allows them to learn about our cultures and society, and find weaknesses, exploiting them with disinformation campaigns, or targeting social causes to weaken social harmony, basically turning us against each other. As well as this, the app also gives them major surveillance capabilities across the globe, not just for spying on the US or government officials or military members, but for tracking and surveilling Chinese nationals living in the US or other western countries, who are often jailed or ‘disappeared’ for even innocent things like making certain artwork.

  10. @its_atre

    January 10, 2025 at 4:54 am

    Please ban Temu and TikTok it’s such trash with many threads.

    • @ChrisHallNewbury

      January 12, 2025 at 5:39 pm

      Can we ban X as well as it’s way worse?

  11. @MartinNelson

    January 10, 2025 at 7:11 am

    I would shut TikTok down based on breaching of Copyright Laws full stop. It built its success on copyright law breaches prior to licensing music. Further to that, the sheer amount of people on that app who don’t seem to understand that putting your face over another person’s video and pointing to that video is a breach of copyright law in most territories. The flood of ‘reaction’ videos, the flood of TV and Film show ‘clips’ are all enough right there to close it down.

    Likewise though this ‘theorist’, misses the point that it’s not about TikTok having the data. This is why the law doesn’t target Meta, Alphabet, or X. It is about the data being shared without warrant or court order with a foreign government. In the US, UK, and EU (Mostly) a government would be required to have a legal justification or reason to ask for and secure data from a private company. In China, a Chinese company – which TikTok is, having its parent company and algorithm owner headquartered in Beijing – is legally required to hand over data to the Chinese government without cause, suspicion or other process that we in the West implement. Now to address his wild claims about the PRISM program to which he refers, let’s be clear on this the NSA found the program too unweidly to simply use a dragnet. More than that both international forces and US citizens also have had legal recourse. They’ve been able to take litigation against government actors and agencies. The EU was able to negotiate and able to legislate around these programs. The UK and EU still to this day continue to explore ways of preventing data being transferred to US soil. The same is impossible for a Chinese company. Much like it would be relatively impossible for a Russian company.

    In fact, Russia and Kaspersky Labs is the perfect analogy here. Many people used Kaspersky computer security tools, or even simply password managers. Then the war in Ukraine broke out. The US government in particular banned Kaspersky labs from operating in the US market. So the idea that this is just a beef with China is ignorance on the part of Clay Shirky. The theorist simply is too ignorant of the larger scale picture to provide anything even close to expert analysis. Here’s the real nail in his theories – Kaspersky is a full private company. Has been for decades. It has revealed to the world some of the biggest cybersecurity threats in existance. Yet the mere suggestion that they might have become tied to the Russia Government and there’s a ban. So it didn’t ‘start with TikTok’.

    Moving further two years ago it was found that Hauwei, another Chinese company had chips in their phones and routers that presented intolerable security threats. What happened next? The maker of these chips can no longer sell stuff in the US Market. Beyond just the US, the UK and parts of the EU have also taken steps to sanction Huawei.

    Am I beginning to build a picture here? This person Clay Shirky, is presenting things as he sees it, but with an agenda. He’s missing out vital context. He’s cherrypicking information that can quite easily be ripped apart. Sadly the interviewer here hasn’t done enough research herself to be able to effective moderate, investigate or challenge the claims. She’s merely taking him at his word.

    Now let’s be clear – the asynchronous balance of companies not being able to operate in China, but China being able to operate internationally is an essential political tool that must be considered of course. This is the stuff that trade wars are made of.

    Frankly, I’ve known for a long time that TED no longer has any level of rigour in the content the publish. This takes that to a while new level though.

    • @ArturCzajka

      January 10, 2025 at 8:06 am

      Hope you’re ready to shut down ChatGPT & all the image generators on basis of copyright as well 😉 I’m not saying it’s a wrong take, I’m saying there has to be consistency

    • @jessicadurkin4294

      January 10, 2025 at 9:32 pm

      Learn how to summarize that comment is to long for anyone to read. Make your point.

  12. @codybloomfield5082

    January 10, 2025 at 7:45 am

    Threat from TikTok is that it can be used to promote a color revolution in the US in the same way as America is doing everywhere using mass media. First it was radio and print. Now social media. It’s obvious

  13. @jimmieleehilliard3904

    January 10, 2025 at 9:01 am

    You can’t ban anything come on fellas. VPNS. it’s just a game. The Chinese still used Facebook, Instagram and they were banned 15yrs ago. What a joke.

  14. @PriyranjanKumar-g5d

    January 10, 2025 at 9:03 am

    i remember feeling like i was always the one fading into the background while others stood out effortlessly. it was frustrating and made me doubt myself a lot. then i came across this book, Magnetic Aura by Takeshi Mizuki, and it showed me things i’d never even considered. it’s not just a self-help book; it’s like a guide to understanding your own energy and using it to connect with people. if you’ve ever felt like you’re not seen, this book might change everything.

  15. @Abhishekyadav-r5d6z

    January 10, 2025 at 9:03 am

    i remember this one time i felt like no matter what i did, people just didn’t notice me. i tried everything—confidence boosters, social tips, you name it—but nothing seemed to work. then i found this book, Magnetic Aura by Takeshi Mizuki, and it completely shifted how i saw myself. it’s not just about being noticed; it’s about understanding the energy you project. honestly, this book made all the difference for me. if you’ve ever felt invisible, you need to read it.

  16. @AmarNayak-um5nm

    January 10, 2025 at 9:04 am

    one night i was scrolling through my phone, feeling like i’d never figure out why some people just seem so magnetic. then i came across this book, Magnetic Aura by Takeshi Mizuki, and something about it caught my attention. reading it was like turning on a light in a dark room. it’s not about pretending to be someone you’re not; it’s about unlocking the energy you already have. trust me, this book is worth every page

  17. @rajeshmanatkar5908

    January 10, 2025 at 9:04 am

    i used to think being magnetic was just about looks or confidence, but i couldn’t have been more wrong. i read this book called Magnetic Aura by Takeshi Mizuki, and it totally changed my perspective. it breaks down the energy and mindset behind true attraction in a way that just makes sense. once i started applying what it taught, i noticed people reacting to me differently almost instantly. it’s seriously worth a read.

  18. @sairashaikh4123

    January 10, 2025 at 9:04 am

    there was a time when i kept wondering why some people seemed to naturally draw others in while i was just…there. no matter what i tried, i couldn’t figure out how they did it. then someone mentioned the book Magnetic Aura by Takeshi Mizuki, and i decided to check it out. the way it explains how your aura affects everything around you? it blew me away. it’s like having a secret code to unlock your magnetic energy. this book is a game-changer.

  19. @miklevey3429

    January 10, 2025 at 9:59 am

    I hope they ban tik tok. Of the social media platforms, it is by far the most the most damaging. My children are constantly arguing points based on theories they learn from tik tok. One of them is 20 years old, has graduated with honors undergrad and interning with government.

    • @nekoqueen22

      January 13, 2025 at 8:36 am

      Just because they are talking about something you may know isn’t real,why not correct them? Taking away TikTok isn’t going to change the nonsense kids will do or get in too.

  20. @ashleynicolemartinez7870

    January 10, 2025 at 10:26 am

    I know Texas has been trying forever to get it banded from the Texas residents from using that app actually I took part in the action in Texas for a lot of reasons and to be honest with you I can care less if they band tick tock I think it’s a dangerous app and I think it needs to leave and I don’t think it’s time enough that Trump can have it done to be honest with you cuz you don’t get sworn in until the 20th and it’s due to be taken down on the 19th so there is and I do kind of feel sorry for some creators and some creators I don’t feel sorry for that they may lose their job it’s life we all lose our jobs is called get out and go find another one it’s that simple if you want to sit there and cry like a titty baby oh that’s my only source of income and all that was too bad it’s called why did you leave your your other job to become a creator that makes absolutely the funniest sense to me

  21. @JuanAntonella

    January 10, 2025 at 11:01 am

    I really appreciate your efforts! I need some advice: I have a SafePal wallet with USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (mistake turkey blossom warfare blade until bachelor fall squeeze today flee guitar). What’s the best way to send them to Binance?

  22. @mallkrawlerz620

    January 10, 2025 at 11:28 am

    Tik tok is taking over the Facebook ig market in the US. If this continues the biggest market holder (meta) in the US will be hurting. If you take into Consideration that meta is one of the 7 biggest American market composers, then you’ll understand that if Facebook is hurting, AMERICA will be hurting too. Bad.

    • @jessicadurkin4294

      January 10, 2025 at 9:34 pm

      That’s what it all comes down to the US wants to buy tiktok bc it’s a money generator except americans losing tiktok is going to cost a lot of small business’ and content creators a lot of money they they funnel back into the economy so either way it’s going to hurt us. However I haven’t seen a decline in Facebook use maybe if they made the social app better, more people would use it, my app is all in Chinese symbols so my belief is that China owns meta too. When I got locked out my email to get back in was all chinese as well. I had to translate everything to understand.

  23. @brandicramblitt2685

    January 10, 2025 at 12:13 pm

    I cant even use any of that crap, tiktok or temu lol

  24. @jessicaT12345

    January 10, 2025 at 3:36 pm

    Basically, the U.S. government wants control over Tik Tok users’ data and content. I also think this is connected to the free speech around the Gaza catastrophe.

  25. @jessicaT12345

    January 10, 2025 at 3:41 pm

    The host seems anti-China, fyi. I feel her biased, esp. based on her intro. I feel the guest is being even-handed.

  26. @jessicadurkin4294

    January 10, 2025 at 9:36 pm

    The thing no one is talking about but i KNOW I’m not the only one, when i got locked out of facebook and had to change my password the email i got was all chinese and the facebook app was in chinese i had to translate everything.. so is it really just tiktok?

  27. @lynnpurvis3173

    January 11, 2025 at 12:21 am

    O”leary is in Trumps pocket so is it more about tik tok being in competition with Truth Social and that OLeary can acquire something that is lucrative. . .to gain from something already established.

    • @HonorableBeniah-A

      January 14, 2025 at 8:08 pm

      lol, no and no. Very few people use truth social.

  28. @natbirchall1580

    January 11, 2025 at 4:25 am

    What a snake

  29. @carlagotgame

    January 11, 2025 at 11:04 am

    If Tt is banned then ban Martha Stewart, Trump and Hilary Clinton!

  30. @marioantoniocrespoMexican92

    January 11, 2025 at 11:59 am

    I’m a proud progressive socialist proud liberal. I love being leftist

    • @HonorableBeniah-A

      January 14, 2025 at 8:07 pm

      YouTube censorship won’t allow me to say what I’m proud of

  31. @gunner9711

    January 12, 2025 at 9:23 pm

    They are to scare of CPP, they scare of Americans. TikTok is the only app that show the true colours of the Gaza, Ukraine wars. And what young Americans know outside then Facebook and instagram. Control by your government. What a freedom of speech!!!!

  32. @kcw8886

    January 13, 2025 at 5:42 am

    A good interview. It forces me to think about what are the attributes of responsible media and responsible businesses.

  33. @sharonlee7830

    January 13, 2025 at 11:27 am

    If they ban TikToc im not going to use Facebook or Ig!! And i hope other people follow suit. Because the government is upset because TikToc brings in more viewers and business then fb and Ig! That’s why they are banning TikToc.

  34. @Mbrown553

    January 14, 2025 at 1:05 am

    All social media is trash even YouTube (the only app I use)

    • @HonorableBeniah-A

      January 14, 2025 at 8:04 pm

      YouTube censorship is terrible. They auto delete comments like crazy.

  35. @urbanstrencan

    January 15, 2025 at 7:28 am

    Ok this will be interesting how it will paw out, TikTok saga continues

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The Rising Cost of Dissent in America | Miles Taylor | TED

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Former senior US national security official Miles Taylor shares a personal account that raises a broader civic concern: the growing cost of dissent in American public life. Drawing on his experience inside government and living the consequences of speaking openly, he says that the real threat to US democracy isn’t the politicians or hard-liners — it’s the two-thirds of Americans who don’t speak up. (This talk contains mature language.) (Recorded at TEDxMidAtlantic on November 1, 2025)

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James Wise, general partner at Balderton Capital, says the UK could soon have its first £100 billion tech company. Wise, who also serves as chair of the UK Government’s Sovereign AI fund, says policymakers must work with investors to help British firms scale globally. He speaks to Bloomberg’s Tom Mackenzie at London Tech Week.

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