Levon Campbell III
Staff Writer

The popular social media platform TikTok is facing a ban in the United States after a bill was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives on March 13.  In addition to the ban, the popular app has been accused of posing a security risk due to its ties to the Chinese government. These measures have sparked a heated discussion and debate about the pros and cons of such bans. Here’s everything you need to know about the ongoing TikTok ban.

According to www.alijazeera.com, the ban was based on national security concerns surrounding TikTok’s links with the Chinese government. The U.S. government worries that the Chinese government could gain access to users’ personal data and potentially use it against them. Additionally, TikTok’s owner, Bytedance, has said that the company does not share user data with the Chinese government. In a testimony before Congress, TikTok CEO Shou Chew stated, “ByteDance is not owned or controlled by the Chinese government. It is a private company.”

However, people like Republican senator Marco Rubio expressed fears about these concerns this week at an annual hearing on worldwide threat assessments. He stated that “every company in China is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party”, including TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance. He added, “They control an AI algorithm used by TikTok in the US that uses personal data to predict videos the user would want to see. This algorithm is one of the world’s best.”

According to www.cbsnews.com, The Senate hasn’t been in a hurry to send the bill to President Biden, who recently said he would sign it. While the House passed the measure quickly, the Senate appears to be moving more slowly. The bill currently sits with the Senate Commerce Committee, where similarly restrictive measures have stalled in the past. Senators have noted that the upper chamber moves more slowly than the House and that a decision on the bill could take months. However, the bill’s bipartisan support and the White House’s request for speed add pressure.

Marica Vance, a TikTok content creator, spoke out against the proposed TikTok ban. She argued that the popular app shouldn’t be banned because it’s a platform where people can earn a living and share entertaining and informative content. Vance emphasized the positive impact the app has had on her career and the overall community.

“No, TikTok shouldn’t be banned, because people around the world are going through the same things and they’re helping each other to get a better understanding of life,” Vance stated.

Jackson State students also share similar sentiments regarding the proposed TikTok ban. They believe that it shouldn’t be allowed and feel that the government should focus on more pressing issues. They suggest that it’s important to explore the positive impact that the platform has had on people, both in terms of livelihoods and overall quality of life.

Jabori Reiss, a junior music technology major from Mobile, Ala., talked about how the ban should not have happened and how there are bigger issues that could’ve been focused on. 

“I think the ban shouldn’t have happened, to be honest. We have bigger issues at hand. Personally, TikTok is an informational platform, and it helps people so this ban shouldn’t be a thing because it will cause more problems instead of fixing them,” Reiss stated.

Bethany Miller, a sophomore marketing major from Jackson, Miss., shared her perspective on the proposed TikTok ban. She expressed a strong dissenting opinion, suggesting that it wasn’t the right decision due to the numerous issues facing our country.

“The ban is unnecessary, given that there are more pressing issues. The only reason they want to ban TikTok is that they don’t have power over it,” Miller.

She also felt that the ban was motivated by the government’s lack of control over TikTok, rather than genuine concerns.

As the proposed TikTok ban inches towards implementation, the parent company, ByteDance, only has six months left to find a buyer for the popular app or they’ll run the risk of having it banned from app stores. It’ll be up to our lawmakers to reach an agreement on this divisive matter and determine the future of TikTok in our country.

Video by Nicholas Thornton & Photos by William H. Kelly III

With Valentine’s Day upon us, couples are inventing ways to creatively show their significant other their love and affection. Teddy bears, flowers, and jewelry are common gifts that have been associated with the holiday. Though everyone loves receiving gifts, the most important aspect of Valentine’s Day is being able to spend time with someone who shares the same feelings about you as you do with them.

This year, as students are making their dates for Valentine’s Day, The Blue & White Flash decided to put together the Hell Date/Heaven Date list, a compilation of students’ experiences on Valentine’s Day. As you listen, take note of ideas you could use to make your Valentine’s Day heavenly, and avoid the mistakes that will ensure your date is Hell bound.

Video by Myuna Jones