The Trend of Many Countries Banning TikTok, What Do Experts Say?

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The social media platform is back in operation in the United States (US) after being temporarily closed on Sunday, January 19, 2025. The restoration of the Chinese application service was carried out after the US President-elect, Donald Trump, made a statement ahead of his inauguration day.

Although TikTok was not banned in the United States, a number of countries are known to have blocked TikTok, including partial bans. The TikTok ban policy taken by these countries was based on global concerns about the impact of this application, both in terms of data security, political stability, and influence on society.

However, the ban on TikTok in a number of countries has sparked debate regarding freedom of expression and its impact on the digital economy. So, what do experts or academics think about the trend of many countries banning TikTok?

US Media and Political Communication Expert, Cayce Myers

Cayce Myers shared his thoughts on the significance and consequences of the TikTok ban policy. He gave his views while commenting on the US Supreme Court which passed a new law to ban the Chinese social media application, which opened a new path in the social media landscape.

"The US Supreme Court's decision regarding TikTok is a pivotal moment for social media and its operations in the United States. The per curiam court decision underscores the uniqueness of the technology, its far-reaching impact, and the national security implications of its operation,” Myers said as quoted by Virginia Technology, Friday, January 17, 2025.

Mayers argued that the decision represents a major shift in digital sovereignty, and shows the delicate balance between national security concerns, free speech, and the global digital economy.

Ohio University Computer Science Academic, Chad Mourning

Chad Mourning said that while banning TikTok may seem like a neat solution, it does not eliminate the risks associated with data privacy and national security.

“In fact, recent antitrust decisions requiring companies to allow multiple app stores will likely lead to people illegally distributing the TikTok app and its updates,” Chad Mourning said, as quoted by the Ohio University page.

Chad Mourning compared it to previous attempts to shut down platforms like The Pirate Bay, a popular peer-to-peer file-sharing website, suggesting that even if TikTok is banned, users will find ways to bypass the restrictions.

This, she said, could lead to increased cybersecurity risks as users could inadvertently expose themselves to malicious apps. Untrustworthy apps could hide malware in the same way that pirated streaming sessions do.

“A new breed of cybersecurity scams will emerge promising people illegal access to TikTok and they’ll end up with compromised devices,” she said.

Ohio University Media Law Expert, Aimee Edmondson

Aimee Edmondson argues that legislative bans of TikTok like this often feel like a quick fix to legitimate policy issues, but have unintended consequences for free expression.

Edmondson then suggested that TikTok should provide a space where diverse voices can share ideas and mobilize on important issues. She warned that bans could disproportionately impact these communities by limiting the use of existing public forums.

“Users who are disenfranchised, those who are not as politically savvy or don’t have a lot of money, could certainly be affected, including younger generations who may not have the political capital to fight back effectively,” Edmondson said. “For certain communities, is a marketplace of ideas or a public space—their town hall.”

The ban also raises concerns about public trust in government. Edmondson noted that actions like this potential ban, while framed as protecting national security, can often erode public trust in the government’s commitment to basic rights like free speech.

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