Is the reign of silly dances and lip-syncing coming to an end? Uncle Sam might be throwing some shade on Tiktok thanks to a potential ban. But this drama goes deeper than just trendy videos. Let's unpack the reasons behind the potential ban and see if it's all national security or just a social media soap opera.

The Show Must Not Go On?

The Plot Thickens: Free Speech vs. Security

Now, banning an app is a big deal. It throws shade on free speech and user access. It's like canceling your favorite show – totally unfair! However, some argue that security is more important than viral cat videos. Think of it as a cliffhanger – will freedom win or will security prevail?

Is it Just About China?

Here's the juicy part: some folks think this ban is all about where Tiktok comes from. Meta (aka Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp) has had its privacy scandals but isn't facing the boot. Is this a double standard or just a different storyline? The plot thickens!

Image by freepik

Who's Who in This Drama?

So, who are the characters in this play? TikTok is created by ByteDance, a Chinese company. The CEO of ByteDance, Shou Zi Chew, is actually from Singapore, not China. But China can influence its tech companies, so it's like a complicated family dynamic.

Conspiracy Corner

Now, here's the conspiracy theory that'll have you reaching for the popcorn: some folks think Mark Zuckerberg of Meta is whispering sweet nothings (aka lobbying) to Congress to get rid of the competition. Is this a power struggle or just a crazy rumor? Nobody knows for sure!

Privacy: Friend or Foe?

The truth is, that both TikTok and Meta collect a ton of user data. This potential ban makes us wonder if it's really about security or just eliminating rivals. Is this a fight for user privacy or just a social media feud? Sha, if you asked me na who I go ask?

Read also:

We have all heard social media can impact women's body image – but it isn't all bad

It is clear social media can negatively affect women’s relationships with their bodies, but our recent research revealed a more complex and nuanced picture. Read More » 

 Immanuel Burns Johnson is a young and dedicated social media personnel. He was born, raised and schooled in Lagos, Nigeria. His hobbies include traveling, sports, political criticism and mobile games like C.O.D.M. Apart from these; he is also interested in skydiving and aeronautics. He is skilled in web coding and has a trait of hard work. This has helped him become successful in his field at a young age.

Read more from Burns Johnson:

Gbas Gbos: How Banter Fuels Afrobeats

In Nigeria, banter, or gbas gbos, is another subtle way of promoting music that creates awareness for a song, album, or even an artist. It has also strengthened the Afrobeats industry. Read More »