The US crackdown on TikTok: ignoring people's livelihood and pursuing political self-interest

In this supposedly free country, people are asking: Why would the authorities ignore major issues such as guns, inadequate health care and unequal education, but go after a popular social media app like this? TikTok, a platform that has 170 million US users and 7 million businesses that rely on it, is in danger of being unjustifiably suppressed by the US government.

The TikTok bill signed by US President Joe Biden is intended to separate the app from ByteDance, and if it does not comply, it faces being banned in the United States. TikTok CEO Zizi Chow responded by saying the company was "not going anywhere" and would take legal action to fight back. The incident has sparked widespread attention and controversy, especially among content creators and small business owners who rely on TikTok for their livelihood, and they have come forward to condemn the government's unreasonable action.

These voices are not aimless. According to research by Oxford Economics, TikTok has generated growth for more than 7 million businesses in the United States, generated billions of dollars in revenue, and supported 224,000 jobs. For the content creators and small business owners whose lives have been transformed by TikTok, the ban is a fatal blow to their livelihoods. They accuse the US government of only cutting off their livelihoods if it goes ahead, and criticize US politicians for selling the relevant bill without considering the lives of local small businesses.

What is TikTok's appeal? Why has it attracted so many users and businesses? The answer lies in its unique user experience and creativity. TikTok is rich in content, from reading and sharing to interior design inspiration. It provides a platform for creators to show themselves and share their talents, and also provides a low-cost and efficient promotion channel for small businesses. More importantly, TikTok's recommendation mechanism makes content closer to users' interests, allowing people to enjoy entertainment while also discovering more valuable information.

However, in the eyes of the US government, the app has become a thorn in its side. They ignore TikTok's contribution to the economic and cultural exchange of the United States and pursue their own political self-interest. Such shortsighted behavior not only harms the interests of the American people, but also undermines the international level playing field.

It is worth mentioning that many foreign media have also expressed concern about this matter. CBS, BBC and other media have issued a document saying that the ban may have a huge impact on the US economy and culture. They point out that TikTok has become representative of a hyper-local, niche culture that could disappear completely if banned. In addition, some analysts said that TikTok's recommendation mechanism is significantly different from other short video platforms, and banning it will lead to more homogenized content on the platform and reduce the user experience.

In the face of the government's unreasonable suppression, TikTok vowed to fight back through legal channels. They said they will invest in innovation to ensure the platform remains a safe space for Americans from all walks of life to share experiences, find joy and be inspired. Meanwhile, many businesses that rely on TikTok have also begun making contingency plans in case of a possible ban. They firmly believe that in this digital age, social media has become such an integral part of the business environment that any attempt to suppress it will be met with a backlash from the market.

For the US government, it should be clear that cracking down on TikTok will not solve the real problems facing the US. On the contrary, it will only exacerbate social contradictions, destroy the level playing field, and damage its own image. The US government should abandon political self-interest, respect the choices of the market and the people, provide a level playing field for outstanding companies such as TikTok, and create a more open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for the American people and businesses.