TikTok Ban isn’t about China

Listening to the Supreme Court’s hearing on the potential TikTok ban — it’s clear many people don’t grasp the broader implications.

This isn’t just about TikTok or concerns over China. What’s really at stake is the potential for the Government to bypass evidence and due process to shut down any platform or content channel it deems a “risk.” A decision here could set a dangerous precedent for unchallenged government control over media platforms.

I’m just finishing The Road to Unfreedom by Timothy Snyder, where he describes how state-controlled media in Russia manipulates public opinion and wages disinformation campaigns globally. Imagine this level of control in the U.S. — we’ve already seen former leaders openly attack the press, suggesting that outlets like CBS or 60 Minutes should lose their platforms.

If this precedent is set, what stops future administrations from targeting news outlets, social media platforms, or independent creators? The consequences could move us closer to a reality where free speech and independent media are no longer guaranteed.

The argument being made is that TikTok could use data to recruit spies or otherwise threaten the U.S. But let’s be honest — does anyone really think our data isn’t already accessible to anyone willing to pay or hack for it? How is TikTok different from platforms like Facebook or X? We already have evidence of foreign interference and manipulation happening on those platforms.

And yet, other platforms appear to be aligning with government pressures. For instance, Zuckerberg recently announced Facebook will no longer fact-check political ads.

This isn’t a TikTok issue — it’s a free speech issue. The question is: where do we draw the line on government control of information?

If you’d like to listen to the 2 1/2 hour oral arguments, you can get that on the Supreme Court website. They also have a transcript available.

Sources for Trump’s threats against the media:

Trumps threats against media

Jailed reporters, silenced networks (NPR)

How the Trump administration threatens internet freedoms (Aljazeera)