“I’ve learned more on TikTok than in school”: President Biden Has Done His Part to Make TikTok Ban a Reality, Gen Z is Furious
The 46th and current president of the U.S. President Joe Biden took over the office in 2021 succeeding Donald Trump. President Biden has previously served as the 47th vice president during Barack Obama’s tenure as the president. With the elections drawing near, the battle for the office continues.
Amidst all this, Biden has declared war on Gen Z by signing a bill that puts TikTok’s parent company ByteDance under pressure to either sell off its operations in the US or face a nationwide ban. Gen Z which forms most of the users of the app is not very happy, to say the least.
President Biden Has Signed a Bill for TikTok Ban
Back in March, the US House of Representatives passed a bill that forces the short-form video app’s parent company ByteDance to either sell off its US operations to some other company based there or shut down the app completely within six months (via Dexerto).
While this does not necessarily mean the app will be banned, its future definitely becomes uncertain. No moves were made until recently when Congress introduced and passed a second bill that had similar criteria with an increase in the duration (9 months) allowing the company to take the necessary actions. President Joe Biden has signed the bill.
TikTok’s Chinese Parent Company ByteDance is Pushing Back on the Bill
ByteDance will not sit back while the US government forces a nationwide ban that would make it illegal for US app stores to offer TikTok for downloads. According to a memo obtained by CNN, the company will file a Court challenge if the ban is enforced.
Michael Beckerman, TikTok’s head of public policy for the Americas, warned his employees in the memo. He wrote:
“At the stage that the bill is signed [by President Joe Biden], we will move to the courts for a legal challenge.”
In his words, the legislation is
“an unprecedented deal worked out between the Republican Speaker [Mike Johnson] and President Biden.”
Further, the CEO of the popular video platform Shou Zi Chew posted a video on TikTok in which he said that they
“Make no mistake, this is a ban. A ban on TikTok, a ban on you, and a ban on your voice.”
Gen Z is Furious About This Decision
The House of Representatives argues that this app is being used to surveil the 170 million Americans who use it. From creative individuals to small businesses, all users benefit from the app. What looks like simple entertainment might actually be the livelihood of many.
Many Gen Z users have expressed their outrage at this decision to ban the app. Here is what some of them have said:
I’ve learned more on tiktok than in school. This is a sad day. pic.twitter.com/ytE3iiDUlk
— SiK (@TheRealSik) April 24, 2024
You do realize many small owned businesses and franchises rely heavily on Tiktok growth. This crushes ppl livelihood 🥲💔
— ghosty (@ayeeghosty) April 24, 2024
Wasn’t this the 60 billion dollar bill that’s meant to aid foreign countries? Why is a TikTok ban in this bill 💀
— Obey Oster (@akaoster) April 24, 2024
If you can’t control it ban it
— Ankush sharma (@Aku_700) April 24, 2024
They just banned an app that changed the lives of millions. This app is some people's job. This app helped grow small businesses. This app is overwhelmingly used by the largest voting demographic that Democrats rely on to win elections, and they banned it. Masterful gambit, sir https://t.co/fesNxX8lwR
— Jake (@aWiseMoose) April 24, 2024
It is safe to say that the ban will affect the upcoming elections in some capacity as a large of voters are Gen Z and they evidently do not appreciate the fact that President Biden is planning to ban it.
