TikTok Ban Necessary to Thwart CCP
On January 19th, the much-debated ban on TikTok, a China-based and CCP-controlled social media platform, officially took effect. This decision by the U.S. government acknowledges TikTok as a national security threat. However, questions remain about the ban’s permanence. Some fear the Trump administration, tempted by TikTok’s popularity, might reverse it — a move that would be a grave mistake. The ban must remain in place unless TikTok’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are completely severed.
The Trump administration must enforce the ban on TikTok unless its ties to the CCP are completely severed.
To understand why, we must examine the unique relationship between the CCP and private enterprises in China.
The CCP’s ultimate goal is to achieve global communism. This necessitates dictatorial control within China, extending its influence outward. Consequently, the party claims ownership of the state, the people, and businesses — leaving no boundary between the state and society. People and companies are compelled to support the party’s objectives, including assisting in intelligence collection. Disobedience invites severe consequences. Recently, an official warned a non-compliant resident that their defiance would adversely affect three generations of their descendants.
TikTok’s connection to this system underscores the problem. The issue is not merely about where TikTok stores its data or whether party members sit on ByteDance’s board. It is the reality that the CCP owns China. As long as ByteDance owns TikTok, it will serve the party’s goals — not only for business survival but also for the safety of its staff and their families.
TikTok’s algorithm is intrusive and addictive, akin to social media fentanyl. Many young Americans are already hooked. Even more troubling, TikTok is actively brainwashing Americans to shape their views in favor of the CCP. A study by Rutgers University illustrates this manipulation. The researchers compared hashtag usage on Instagram and TikTok, two platforms similar in function and scale. Instagram has roughly 2 billion users, while TikTok has about 1.5 billion. For non-political topics, the distribution of hashtags aligns with this ratio. For example, #TaylorSwift has about 21 million posts on Instagram and 10 million on TikTok — a ratio of 2:1.
However, for political topics sensitive to the CCP, TikTok shows dramatically fewer posts than Instagram. For instance, #FreeUyghurs has 81,000 posts on Instagram but only 1,300 on TikTok — a staggering ratio of 59:1. Similarly, #HongKongProtests shows a ratio of 181:1, and #TiananmenProtests has a ratio of 82:1.
TikTok censors such content while amplifying hashtags aligned with CCP interests. For example, #StandWithKashmir, a hashtag critical of India and aligned with the CCP’s policy, had 346,000 posts on Instagram but an astonishing 228 million posts on TikTok — a ratio of 1:999. The study shows that TikTok systematically suppresses anti-CCP posts and promotes pro-CCP narratives.
This manipulation has significant implications. TikTok misleads its users by painting a falsely positive picture of China while fostering negative views of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other entities the CCP opposes. With 45 percent of Americans aged 18–29 regularly getting news from TikTok, the platform’s brainwashing is effective, cultivating a social consensus that undermines U.S. society and national security.
The Trump administration must enforce the ban on TikTok unless its ties to the CCP are completely severed. Some fear Trump might be swayed by TikTok’s role in mobilizing his supporters during the 2024 election. Such reliance would be misguided and dangerous, as TikTok could exploit this vulnerability to manipulate Trump.
Trump and his team correctly identify Communist China as the greatest threat to the U.S. and are determined to reduce economic dependence on China. While this strategy may disrupt supply chains and increase costs in the short term, it is essential for America’s long-term security and independence. Persuading Americans to accept these sacrifices requires providing an honest portrayal of the CCP’s threats. TikTok, however, actively undermines this effort by spreading CCP propaganda and countering U.S. initiatives.
Much like combating drug addiction, breaking free from TikTok’s influence may be painful, but it is necessary. Temporary convenience must not outweigh the long-term risks.
READ MORE from Shaomin Li:
China Is One Giant Corporation … And It Cheats
The Sickness and Outlook of the Chinese Economy
Shaomin Li is a Professor at Old Dominion University’s Strome College of Business.
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