Update
On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, the US House of Representatives voted, by a bipartisan tally of 352-65, to require ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to sell the app or face a ban on all US devices. While the US Senate must also pass the measure, it is likely that a majority of senators will approve, although the timeline is unclear, since some lawmakers are pushing for hearings prior to putting the measure up for a vote.
Of note is that the legislation does not “ban” TikTok in the US per se but, rather, forces ByteDance to sell the company or face a ban in the United States. However, since both the company and China itself have refused previous requests to divest, it would ultimately amount to a ban when/if ByteDance and China refuse.
US security agencies claim that the app is a threat both to user privacy and our election process. Although no proof has been put to the public that China uses the app to surveil users, security experts claim it is theoretically possible. FBI Director Christopher Wray recently testified that the Chinese government could use TikTok to control software on an untold number of devices and that, “We’re not sure that we would see many of the outward signs of it happening if it was happening.”
TikTok Controversy… What Do You Do Now?
Keep TikTok’ing but also invest in capturing all of your videos for use in another system, if necessary. Be sure to repurpose each video on your other social media sites, including YouTube, for maximum marketing mileage!
Stay tuned…PUMC will provide updates on our social media on any outcomes that could negatively affect cosmetic medical practices.
Want To Know More?
If you have an opinion about the potential ban of TikTok, contact your US Senators before the vote takes place. Click this link for the Senate phone list. Alternatively, a Capitol switchboard operator can connect you directly by calling 202-224-3121.
Click Below For Articles Regarding The Potential TikTok Ban:
TIME: What to Know about The Bill That Could Get TikTok Banned in the US
MSN: TikTok Ban Timeline: Congress’ Yearslong Case Against ByteDance
Other information on Effective TikTok’ing:
Read PUMC’s Blog, Are You TikTok’ing?