TikTok: Potential National Security Risks and Limiting Access

PROMPT:

The United States government has expressed concerns about the potential national security risks posed by TikTok, a popular social media app owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. This was in the news during the past week following Congressional hearings in which the CEO of TikTok was questioned extensively about what the company does/can do with Americans’ data. There are strong opinions on each side of the debate about whether TikTok should be banned in the United States. (Think you do not know anyone affected by this debate? On March 10th, I was required by Lone Star College to remove it from any device that I conducted LSC business on, including personal devices.)

NOTE: This is not the first time a ban on TikTok has been in the news—this debate dates back several years. For the purposes of THIS ASSIGNMENT, you must cite a source for each question asked (except number 6), AND IT MUST BE A RECENT SOURCE, from 2022 or 2023. Your submission will be run through a plagiarism detector, including an A.I. detector. This is an “all or nothing assignment”. To receive the “professor pardon,” you must answer EACH QUESTION FULLY AND COMPLETELY (with proper grammar) with 5-7 full sentences (unless choosing extra credit on next exam option) AND CITE A SOURCE WHICH YOU INCLUDE ON A WORK CITED AT THE END OF YOUR DOCUMENT, appropriately formatted in MLA style. Failure to do so will not allow you to receive partial credit; I will only give points to full, complete, and appropriately cited submissions that are original, thoughtful work.

1. What is the concern? Why does the federal government want to limit access to TikTok in America? Whose access to the platform has already been limited (federally)? (Cite your source!)

2. What has Governor Greg Abbott done about TikTok in Texas? (Cite your source!)

3. What did Tik Tok CEO Shou Zi Chew testify about before Congress about in March 2023? What was Congress’s primary concern/line of questions and how did Chew respond? (Must cite to 2023 source for this—he has testified in the past, so be careful!)

4. Summarize the warning Texas Congressman Dan Crenshaw gave during the hearings with Chew to address the concerns of young people who do not want to see the platform banned. (Cite your source! There is a short video clip of this warning on C-Span from March 23, 2023—Google “Crenshaw Warning TikTok C-Span”)

5. Discuss what arguments TikTok influencers/content creators are saying about this proposed limitation. (Cite your source!)

6. After considering all the above, answer the following: What is your opinion on this issue? Do you believe that TikTok should be banned in the United States? Why or why not? (NOTE: Do not say “I can see the value of both sides.” You must pick a side and defend it!) No citation necessary here but you may cite one if it helps you develop your argument or if you incorporate an outside source into your argument. Remember this will be run through a plagiarism checker.