@ISIDEWITHQuestionsDomestic Policy1yr ago

Should the government ban TikTok?

Tiktok is a short-form video hosting service owned by the Chinese Company ByteDance. The app is used by 2 million people globally. In 2021 Cloudfare ranked Tiktok as the most popular website in the world. In 2022 U.S. , U.K., Norway, the EU Parliament, Belgium, Canada and New Zeeland banned government employees from installing the Chinese social media app TikTok on their phones. The applications is banned for use by all citizens in Afghanistan, Armenia, India, Iran and Syria. Proponents of banning TikTok argue that the Chinese government uses the app as an espionage tool to collect data on users worldwide. Opponents argue that the internet should remain open and giving governments power to ban Tiktok would lead to more government regulation of the internet.

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 6.7k America voters.

28%
Yes
72%
No
24%
Yes
60%
No
4%
Yes, and we should do more to stop China from collecting data on our citizens
5%
No, but there should be more age restrictions on social media apps
4%
No, this is a violation of free speech
3%
No, only ban the use on government issues phones

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from America voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @9CJG5BZ from Washington  answered…1yr1Y

Yes, and there should be more age restrictions on social media apps

 @9CGJLGS from Illinois  answered…1yr1Y

No, but we should do more to stop China from collecting data on our citizens

 @9GZDTYY from Maryland  answered…1yr1Y

No, there is nothing that TikTok does that other social media apps don't do as far as I am aware, so while TikTok has been the vehicle for the spread of a lot of misinformation and dangerous trends, and while I do despise the platform seeming to encourage that behavior of its users, it is not the government's place to ban the app.

 @9FVTKHQ from New York  answered…1yr1Y

No, but there needs to be more focus on moderating harmful content on social media. This includes inappropriate violent/discriminatory/sexual content. There should also be efforts to investigate social media companies' handling of user data.

 @9F5BTND from Washington  answered…1yr1Y

Yes, but only for those under 18

 @9D8X6MS from Minnesota  answered…1yr1Y

no? but more should be done to protect citizens’ privacy

 @9D8NQLN from Maryland  answered…1yr1Y

No, but every effort should be made to make people aware of the fact that China is spying on them through TikTok.

 @9F7YLXYfrom Maine  answered…1yr1Y

No, but there needs to be something done to stop China from collecting data from our citizens. Make the fricking Communists and Winnie the Pooh pay.

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Stay up-to-date on the most recent “TikTok Ban” news articles, updated frequently.

 @ISIDEWITH submitted…8mos8MO

Senate Moves to Ban TikTok, Ties Decision to Major Foreign Aid Package

In a significant legislative move, the U.S. Senate has passed a bill that could lead to the banning of TikTok, the popular social media platform owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. This decision, which now awaits President Joe Biden's signature, has stirred controversy and is expected to face legal challenges. The bill mandates that ByteDance must divest its interest in TikTok or face a ban in the United States, a move that underscores growing concerns over national security and the influence of Chinese technology companies on American soil.The legislation was part of a larger package that also included $95 billion in aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, highlighting the strategic geopolitical interests of the United States. The coupling of foreign aid with the TikTok ban bill underscores the complex interplay between national security concerns and international diplomacy. The Senate's overwhelming support for the package reflects a bipartisan consensus on the importance of supporting allies while safeguarding U.S. digital infrastructure from potential foreign threats.The decision to potentially ban TikTok has sparked a debate on the balance between national security and freedom of expression. TikTok, with its vast user base in the United States, has become a significant platform for creative expression and social interaction, especially among younger Americans. Critics of the ban argue that it infringes on free speech and could set a precedent for the government's control over access to information and technology.Supporters of the bill, however, argue that the ties between TikTok's parent company and the Chinese government pose an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security. They contend that the Chinese government could potentially access user data collected by TikTok, including personal information and browsing habits, and use it for espionage or other malicious purposes.As the bill heads to President Biden's desk for his signature, the future of TikTok in the United States hangs in the balance. The outcome will not only affect millions of American users but also signal the U.S. government's stance on dealing with technology companies linked to rival nations. The decision could have far-reaching implications for the tech industry, U.S.-China relations, and the global debate on digital privacy and security.

▲  146 replies

 @ISIDEWITH submitted…7mos7MO

TikTok Sues U.S. Government Over Law Forcing Sale or Ban

TikTok said it sued the federal government on Tuesday, arguing the law was unconstitutional.TikTok said that the law violated the First Amendment by effectively removing an app that millions of Americans use to share their views and communicate freely. It also argued that a divestiture was “simply not possible,” especially within the law’s 270-day timeline, pointing to difficulties such as Beijing’s refusal to sell a key feature that powers TikTok in the United States.“For the first time in history, Congress has enacted a law that subjects a single, named speech platform to a permanent, nationwide ban, and bars every American from participating in a unique online community with more than one billion people worldwide,” the company said in the 67-page petition it provided, which initiates the lawsuit. “There is no question: The act will force a shutdown of TikTok by Jan. 19, 2025.”Several legal experts expect the case to land in front of the Supreme Court.Last year, Montana passed a law that would have barred TikTok from operating in the state as of Jan. 1, saying the company presented a security threat to its citizens. A group of TikTok users filed a lawsuit funded by the app, saying the law violated their First Amendment rights and outstripped the state’s legal authority. TikTok also filed a separate lawsuit within a week, arguing that the legislation violated the First Amendment.In November, a federal judge blocked the Montana ban, saying it most likely violated the First Amendment and a clause that gives Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations.

▲  2913 replies

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 @ISIDEWITH submitted…3wks3W

Donald Trump nominates Pam Bondi as the next Attorney General

Former President and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has announced his intention to nominate former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as the next Attorney General of the United States, should he reclaim the presidency in the upcoming election.Bondi, a prominent figure in Republican politics, served as Florida's Attorney General from 2011 to 2019. She gained national attention for her legal battles on issues such as health care reform, consumer protection, and opioid abuse litigation. Known for her steadfast support of Trump during his presidency, Bondi also served as a key adviser during his first impeachment trial, where she defended his administration against accusations of abuse of power.In a statement released by his campaign, Trump praised Bondi’s “unwavering commitment to justice” and her “track record of standing up for everyday Americans against the abuses of Washington’s elites.”“Pam Bondi has been a fearless advocate for the people, and she embodies the principles of fairness, accountability, and the rule of law that are sorely needed to restore trust in our justice system,” Trump said. “She is the right person to lead the Department of Justice into a new era of integrity and excellence.”While Bondi’s nomination has been met with applause from conservative circles, it has also reignited criticism from Democrats and ethics watchdogs. Her acceptance of a $25,000 donation from the Trump Foundation in 2013, which coincided with her decision not to pursue an investigation into Trump University, has drawn scrutiny in the past and resurfaced following the announcement.Democratic leaders have already voiced opposition, questioning Bondi’s ability to lead the Department of Justice independently. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) called the nomination “a political power play” and urged a focus on “restoring integrity, not entrenching partisanship.”

▲  2317 replies

 @ISIDEWITH submitted…3wks3W

Gallup Poll Bombshell: Over Half of Ukrainians Ready for Peace

More than half of Ukrainians want talks to end the war with Russia, according to the latest Gallup polls released on Tuesday, the war’s 1,000th day. The surveys, conducted in August and October, found that 52 percent of Ukrainians want their nation to negotiate an end to the war in Eastern Europe that has been raging for over two-and-half years. Almost four in 10 Ukrainians, 38 percent, want their military to keep fighting until it wins the war. Some 9 percent did not know or refused to share their opinion on the matter. The outlook of the Ukrainians is different from the period when the invasion began in February 2022. Just months after Russia’s invasion kicked off, around 73 percent of Ukrainians wanted to keep fighting. The support for continued fighting dropped among Ukrainians in 2023 when 63 percent wanted the conflict to continue while 27 percent preferred a negotiated peace, according to the survey. The poll comes as Ukraine fired U.S.-made long-range missiles inside Russia for the first time since the restriction was reportedly lifted by the Biden administration. On the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons. The support for continuing the war has dropped among Ukrainians across the country, dipping to below 50 percent throughout the nation this year, Gallup noted. The biggest declines were in regions that are far from the front lines. Over half of Ukrainians, 52 percent, agree that Kyiv should be open to making some territorial concessions as part of a cease-fire, according to the poll. Around 38 percent disagreed while another 10 percent did not know.

▲  197 replies

Active 7hrs ago

 @ISIDEWITH submitted…2wks2W

Kamala Harris is considering running for president again in 2028

Kamala Harris has been lying low since her defeat in the presidential race, unwinding with family and senior aides in Hawaii before heading back to the nation’s capital.But privately, the vice president has been instructing advisers and allies to keep her options open — whether for a possible 2028 presidential run, or even to run for governor in her home state of California in two years. As Harris has repeated in phone calls, “I am staying in the fight.”She is expected to explore those and other possible paths forward with family members over the winter holiday season, according to five people in the Harris inner circle, who were granted anonymity to discuss internal dynamics. Her deliberations follow an extraordinary four months in which Harris went from President Joe Biden’s running mate to the top of the ticket, reenergizing Democrats before ultimately crashing on election night.“She doesn’t have to decide if she wants to run for something again in the next six months,” said one former Harris campaign aide. “The natural thing to do would be to set up some type of entity that would give her the opportunity to travel and give speeches and preserve her political relationships.”“She doesn’t have to decide if she wants to run for something again in the next six months,” said one former Harris campaign aide. “The natural thing to do would be to set up some type of entity that would give her the opportunity to travel and give speeches and preserve her political relationships.”Harris concedes: 'We must accept the results of this election'SharePlay VideoMost immediately, Harris and her advisers are working to define how and when she will speak out against Donald Trump and reassert her own role in the Democratic Party. Closing out her term as vice president, she’s set to preside over certifying the November election she lost to Trump, and then appear at the once-and-future president’s inauguration on Jan. 20.“There will be a desire to hear her voice, and there won’t be a vacuum for long,” a person close to Harris said.At the same time, Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, will have a long checklist to plow through before they leave the Naval Observatory for good.They have to decide whether they’ll take up permanent residence at their home in Los Angeles, or establish a base elsewhere. No matter where Harris and her family live, some around her have expressed concerns about safety, as her Secret Service protection expires six months after stepping away.

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 @ISIDEWITH submitted…2 days2D

CEO Shooting Suspect Had Manifesto That Criticized Healthcare Companies

A man is being held for questioning in connection with last week’s killing of a health insurance executive in Midtown Manhattan, the police said.The man being questioned was identified as Luigi Mangione, 26, the police commissioner, Jessica Tisch, said at a news briefing. He was identified in a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pa., after an employee recognized him and called the authorities at about 9:15 a.m. on Monday.Mr. Mangione was carrying identification with his name on it, along with fake I.D., according to law enforcement officials.Mr. Mangione showed the police the same fake New Jersey identification that the man believed to be the gunman presented when he checked into a hostel on the Upper West Side of Manhattan on Nov. 24, a senior law enforcement official saidWhen Mr. Mangione was approached in Altoona, he had a gun, a silencer and other false identification cards similar to those they believe the killer used in New York, according to one of the law enforcement officials and a person briefed on the investigation. The gun was described as possibly being a so-called ghost gun, assembled from parts purchased online.Mr. Mangione was also carrying a handwritten manifesto that criticized health care companies for putting profits above care, according to two law enforcement officials.Mr. Mangione is in custody on local charges, the official said, possibly related to presenting the fake identification to the police. He has not been arrested or charged in connection with the killing.New York police investigators are traveling to Altoona, in western Pennsylvania, about 280 miles from the city, according to one of the law enforcement officials.

▲  2011 replies

Active 2hrs ago

 @ISIDEWITH submitted…22hrs22H

Israel Sinks Syria's Navy

Israel said Tuesday that it had destroyed Syria’s navy in overnight airstrikes, as it continued to pound targets in Syria despite warnings that its operations there could ignite new conflict and jeopardize the transition of power to an interim government.Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, said that the Israeli military had “destroyed Syria’s navy overnight, and with great success.” His remarks appeared to confirm Israel’s responsibility for the destruction documented in the Syrian port city of Latakia, where photos showed the smoldering remains of ships sunk at their dock.Mr. Katz said that Israel’s military “has been operating in Syria in recent days to hit and destroy strategic capabilities that pose a threat to Israel,” although he did not indicate what new or immediate risk Syria’s navy presented to Israel, which has the most powerful military in the Middle East.Israeli warplanes have conducted hundreds of strikes in Syria since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday, according to war monitors. Israel has characterized its operations as defensive, saying its military was striking suspected chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria to prevent them from falling “into the hands of extremists.”“From here, I warn the rebel leaders in Syria: Those who follow Assad’s path will end like Assad,” Mr. Katz said.As the Assad government fell to the rebels over the weekend, Israeli ground forces advanced beyond the demilitarized zone on the Israel-Syria border, marking their first overt entry into Syrian territory in more than 50 years. An Israeli military spokesman on Tuesday denied reports that the military was advancing on Damascus. The spokesman, Avichay Adraee, said the military was inside a buffer zone between Israel and Syria and at other points “in order to protect the Israeli border.”Earlier Tuesday, Geir Pedersen, the United Nations special envoy for Syria, called on Israel to halt its “very troubling” military operations there, and said de-escalation was needed. “We are continuing to see Israeli movements and bombardments into Syrian territory. This needs to stop,” Mr. Pedersen told reporters in Geneva.

▲  1511 replies