The way I see it, the case for banning TikTok is less about national security, although that is a consideration, and more about equitable terms of trade. You can't use Google in China or Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or Snapchat or any number of other large American tech products. I don't understand why exactly should Chinese tech companies be allowed to operate in the US if their American counterparts can't do the same within China. So I'm totally fine with not banning TikTok, but only under the condition that Google can operate once more in China.
I find the argument that a TikTok ban will impose some sort of large economic burden unconvincing. The product is well executed, but it is also easily imitated. It's main advantage now is network effects. If it were banned, some equivalent product by Snap or Instagram or Youtube would quickly come in to fill the void.
The way I see it, the case for banning TikTok is less about national security, although that is a consideration, and more about equitable terms of trade. You can't use Google in China or Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or Snapchat or any number of other large American tech products. I don't understand why exactly should Chinese tech companies be allowed to operate in the US if their American counterparts can't do the same within China. So I'm totally fine with not banning TikTok, but only under the condition that Google can operate once more in China.
I find the argument that a TikTok ban will impose some sort of large economic burden unconvincing. The product is well executed, but it is also easily imitated. It's main advantage now is network effects. If it were banned, some equivalent product by Snap or Instagram or Youtube would quickly come in to fill the void.