TikTok isn’t just another app.

It’s a cultural movement, an economic powerhouse, and – depending on who you ask – a national security threat.
But what happens when a platform with 170 million U.S. users finds itself at the center of a political firestorm?
For years, TikTok has been the poster child of the social media age – fueled by dance trends, viral challenges, and hyper-addictive algorithms.
But beneath the surface lies a deeper, more complex story.

And it’s all about attention and data (isn’t it always?).

Lawmakers in the U.S. have been warning about TikTok’s ties to China for years.
Under Chinese national security laws, companies are required to share data if the government asks for it.
For politicians, the possibility of that happening was enough to act.
In 2020, then-President Donald Trump called for a ban on TikTok.
Fast forward to 2024, and the Biden administration has continued the fight – resulting in a bipartisan law demanding that ByteDance sell TikTok or face a U.S. ban.
TikTok isn’t alone in collecting and monetizing user data – Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Google all play the same game.

Social media has always been a massive data operation driven by attention.

So, why single out TikTok, while other tech leaders are now cozying up to Trump and his adminisatration?
Critics argue it’s also about power – control over who owns the digital stage.
I think it’s less about power and money and much more about attention.
And, the attention that the current administration got from TikTok and the youth voice during the last election cycle cannot be diminished.

For millions of young Americans, TikTok isn’t just an app – it’s the app.

It’s where they get their news, learn about the world, and shape their opinions.
This is what makes TikTok so powerful as an attention machine and cultural tastemaker.
Algorithms on the platform can amplify content, shape narratives, and influence culture.

The TikTok saga is far from over.

Even as lawmakers push for a ban, TikTok remains deeply embedded in American culture.
One thing’s for sure: this isn’t just about TikTok.
It’s about how we navigate the digital age – who controls the platforms, who owns the data, and what price we’re willing to pay for all of that attention.
Because at the end of the day, TikTok isn’t just an app.
It’s a mirror reflecting the best and worst of the internet age.

And right now, that mirror is cracking under fire – from all sides.

This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

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