TikTok And The Broken Internet: Why The Ban On January 19th Reflects A Deeper Issue

TikTok and the Broken Internet TOC

Introduction: TikTok and the Broken Internet

The internet was once heralded as a great equalizer—a vast space for creativity, innovation, and free expression to thrive. But today, it has devolved into a battleground dominated by monopolistic control, manipulation, and ethical compromise.

The looming ban of TikTok in the United States, set for January 19th, 2025, reflects a deeper systemic issue. While the national security concerns surrounding TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, are valid, this controversy points to a broader problem: the broken state of the internet itself.

This ban isn’t just about one app; it’s a wake-up call for how power, profit, and control have warped the internet into something almost unrecognizable from its original purpose. This article explores why TikTok’s ban matters, what it reveals about our current digital ecosystem, and actionable ways we can rebuild the internet as a place for transparency, innovation, and trust.

1. Why Is TikTok Facing a Ban?

The National Security Debate

At the heart of the TikTok ban are concerns about its parent company, ByteDance. Critics argue that Chinese national security laws could compel ByteDance to share U.S. user data with the Chinese government.

This is especially concerning given TikTok’s collection of vast amounts of data, from biometric details to real-time location tracking. With over 170 million U.S. users, the stakes are high for how this data could be used—or exploited.

Furthermore, TikTok’s algorithm has drawn scrutiny for its ability to shape public opinion. Imagine the influence it could wield during sensitive times like elections or geopolitical crises. A platform capable of amplifying narratives—or suppressing them—could serve as a subtle yet powerful tool for manipulation.

Reports from security experts like the Citizen Lab highlight these vulnerabilities, reinforcing fears that TikTok’s algorithm may not be as neutral as it appears.

The U.S. Government’s Stance

The U.S. government’s scrutiny of TikTok began in 2020, under former President Trump, with an executive order to ban the platform. Although this attempt was blocked by the courts, the Biden administration revived the issue in 2023, leading to investigations by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). The January 19th, 2025, deadline for ByteDance to divest TikTok marks the most serious challenge yet to its U.S. operations.

2. The Internet Is Broken: How Platforms Benefit From Control

Manipulation Over Transparency

Platforms like TikTok, Google, and Meta thrive on opaque algorithms designed to maximize user engagement. A 2023 MIT study revealed that emotionally charged content is 70% more likely to be amplified by these algorithms.

Why? Because anger, fear, and excitement keep users scrolling longer, leading to more ad impressions and higher profits for these companies. While this might seem like a harmless business model, it’s anything but—this constant emotional manipulation fuels misinformation, polarization, and ideological echo chambers.

Data Monetization

The internet’s business model prioritizes profits over privacy, trust, and user autonomy. A 2021 Amnesty International report exposed how Google and Meta’s invasive surveillance models extract massive amounts of personal data to fuel targeted advertising.

TikTok, while newer, follows a similar model, raising concerns about who has access to this data and how it’s being used. The outcome? An internet designed not for the people, but for the profits of a select few.

3. The Impact on Creators

The TikTok Economy

For creators, TikTok has been a lifeline. Unlike platforms like Instagram or YouTube, TikTok’s algorithm offers unparalleled organic reach, allowing small businesses, artists, and independent creators to thrive without spending heavily on advertising.

In 2022 alone, TikTok creators generated over $2 billion in ad-driven revenue globally. However, if TikTok is banned, many creators may lose their primary income source overnight, undoing years of hard work and community-building.

The Broader Creator Struggle

TikTok’s plight is not unique. Platforms like YouTube and Instagram have increasingly throttled organic reach, forcing creators to pay for visibility. This pay-to-play model benefits platforms but exploits creators, leaving them dependent on monopolistic systems and subject to sudden algorithmic changes that could decimate their livelihoods.

4. Why Ethical Tools Are Better Alternatives

Alternatives to Exploitative Platforms

DuckDuckGo: A search engine that doesn’t track your searches or bombard you with targeted ads, ensuring a private browsing experience.
Brave Browser: Blocks trackers and intrusive ads by default, providing a faster, more secure internet experience.
Mastodon: A decentralized social network that allows users to control their own data, free from algorithms or corporate oversight.
Signal: A messaging app that offers end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, and metadata minimization to protect your privacy.

Actionable Tip

Start transitioning to these tools to reduce your reliance on exploitative platforms and regain control over your digital footprint.

5. What This Means for Internet Users

Loss of Digital Sovereignty

Platforms no longer act as neutral intermediaries—they actively shape user experiences in ways that prioritize their bottom lines over user well-being. A TikTok ban could set a dangerous precedent for government overreach into digital spaces, raising questions about where regulation ends and censorship begins.

Erosion of Trust

A 2023 Pew Research study found that 70% of Americans are concerned about how tech companies handle their personal data.

Scandals like Facebook-Cambridge Analytica and TikTok’s data practices have eroded public trust, leaving users feeling powerless in a digital landscape that prioritizes profit over privacy.

6. Ethical Practices: A Better Way Forward

Transparency as a Foundation

Ethical platforms prioritize transparency by clearly outlining how they collect, store, and use data. TikTok’s lack of transparency fuels suspicion, but alternatives like Simply Sound Advice and Ecosia prove that trust and profitability can coexist.

Alternatives to Manipulation

Ethical search engines like Ecosia offer ad-lite experiences while using revenue to plant trees, aligning profit with positive social impact. These platforms demonstrate that it’s possible to run a successful business without exploiting users.

7. The Bigger Picture: Control vs. Freedom

Censorship in Disguise

While national security concerns are valid, banning platforms like TikTok risks opening the door to broader censorship.

For example, India’s 2020 ban on TikTok also targeted over 50 unrelated apps, raising questions about whether such actions are truly motivated by security or if they serve other political or economic agendas.

Who Benefits?

A TikTok ban would eliminate one of the biggest competitors to U.S. tech giants like Google and Meta, further consolidating their power over social media and advertising markets. This monopolization isn’t just bad for business—it’s bad for users, creators, and innovation itself.

8. A Call to Action: Building an Ethical Internet

Support Ethical Platforms

By choosing tools like DuckDuckGo, Brave Browser, and ProtonMail, users can push back against unethical practices and support a better digital future.

Hold Platforms Accountable

Advocacy and public pressure work. The EU’s landmark privacy reforms demonstrate that collective action can drive meaningful change.

Diversify Your Digital Presence

Creators and website owners should invest in ethical SEO strategies and self-hosted content to reduce reliance on monopolistic platforms.

FAQs

Why is TikTok being banned?

TikTok faces a ban due to concerns about ByteDance’s potential access to U.S. user data.

Are other platforms exploitative?

Yes. Google, Meta, and others have been criticized for invasive data practices and prioritizing profits over user well-being.

How can I support ethical platforms?

Use tools like DuckDuckGo, Brave Browser, and Mastodon, and support platforms like Substack financially.

What happens if TikTok is banned?

Millions of users will lose access, and creators may need to migrate to alternatives like Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts.

Is the TikTok ban really about national security?

While national security is the stated reason, some argue economic competition and corporate lobbying play significant roles.

Join the Fight

The internet is at a crossroads. Will it continue to spiral into monopolistic control and manipulation, or can we reclaim it as a space for trust, creativity, and freedom?

At Simply Sound Advice, we’ve made our choice. We’re building a better internet—one that works for people, not profits. But we can’t do it alone.

Help us lead this fight. Even $1 can make a difference.
Donate Today and join a growing movement of people demanding a better digital future. Together, we can reclaim the internet—because it deserves better, and so do you.

Join the Fight!

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