In March 2024, the United States was considering passing a bill to block TikTok due to concerns about China’s access to the personal data of American citizens. But back in 2020, the TikTok app stopped providing service in Hong Kong. because they were also pressured by the security law Expected to avoid giving platform user information to government officials
In March of the past, the US House of Representatives has passed a bill (HR7521) to force social media owner TikTok to cut ties with Chinese parent company ByteDance or else it will be banned in the United States. President Joe Biden has said he will sign the bill if it passes the Senate. The legislation comes amid concerns that Beijing government will have influence over the popular TikTok app. and fears they could use it to gain access to Americans’ personal information.
before Mike Pompeo US Secretary of State Has strictly prohibited ministry officials from installing the TikTok app.
TikTok is a social media platform that focuses on sharing videos, photos, or live broadcasts. From Byte Dance Company ByteDance previously launched a similar social media format in China with the app name Douyin, before later launching TikTok as a social media platform similar to Douyin but in an international version. That leaves Douyin in China, but not TikTok. TikTok is also banned in mainland China. In Hong Kong, TikTok can still be used until 2020.
Chinese authorities, which ban both TikTok and other Western social media at home, said the US In order to block Chinese companies from TikTok, they said they “will take all necessary measures, resolute in upholding their legitimate rights and interests.”
However, the law enforcement incident forced TikTok to cease providing services. It’s not just happening in the United States, but in 2020, after Hong Kong enacted a security law, TikTok had to shut down its service as well.
Currently, anyone in Hong Kong who wants to view a TikTok clip is met with the message: “We regret to tell you that We have closed TikTok in Hong Kong. Thank you for spending your time with us and giving us the opportunity to bring a little joy to your life.”
If someone in Hong Kong tries to access TikTok using the domain name in an internet browser, It will be redirected to the company’s website instead. This causes Hong Kong people to turn to other social media platforms such as YouTube or Instagram.
TikTok ceases service in Hong Kong in 2020 After announcement Security law
Statement on termination of TikTok service from ByteDance Company Must go back to 6 July 2020, a few days after the Chinese authorities announced the enforcement of the national security law in Hong Kong, on 1 July 2020. The statement stated that “Due to recent events We decided to discontinue the TikTok app in Hong Kong,” and the suspension followed several days later. However, TikTok did not give a specific reason for the removal of the app. From Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s 2017 security law gives police the power to request the removal of online content if there are ‘reasons’ to suspect that the content violates national security laws. The police may ask the service provider to host the platform. Also send identification notes or data encryption assistance. Otherwise, they will be fined up to 100,000 Hong Kong dollars (about 470,000 baht) and imprisoned for 6 months.
In response to China’s security law Most Western IT corporations have suspended compliance with government data requests made under the security law. Major IT platforms Those that stopped following these orders were Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter (now X), Telegram, Zoom and Microsoft’s LinkedIn.
At the time, a Google spokesperson said: “We believe freedom of expression is a basic human right and support people’s right to express their opinions without fear for their safety or other reprisals.”
A Twitter spokesperson at the time said they “care about and have a responsibility to protect the people who use our services and protect their freedom of expression.”
media HKFP We asked various social media companies. Whether it’s meta (owner of Facebook), Google, Does this extend to the newest security law drafted by the Hong Kong government itself, called Law Article 23? These social media companies have not yet given an answer.
At the time the 2020 security law was attempted from China, there was no legislative review process at all. The draft law was passed a year after massive pro-democracy protests and civil unrest occurred. This law has criminal penalties for: Subversive acts, sedition, collusion with foreigners and terrorism which is broadly defined This includes obstructing transportation and other infrastructure as well.
Hong Kong’s security law of 2020 gives police the power to round up hundreds of people under the new law. At the same time, civil society groups are shrinking. Hong Kong authorities claim they are using the law to restore stability and calm in the city. and reject criticism from trading partner countries Including from the United Nations and various NGO groups.
Bydance has always denied that They do not hand over any personal data about TikTok users to Chinese authorities. However, China’s national security law requires Chinese companies to cooperate with authorities if information is requested by them.
“We have never provided (TikTok) user information to the Chinese government and will not continue to request it. (from the Chinese government) came in,” the media quoted a TikTok spokesperson as saying.
Byte Dance Company It is headquartered in Beijing, China. It also has subsidiaries in Europe and in the United States, with its official registration in the Cayman Islands.
It is estimated that TikTok has approximately 1 billion users worldwide. However, it blocks users in Hong Kong through a method of blocking based on the IP address and SIM card of Hong Kong mobile phones. Users in Hong Kong who wish to use TikTok will still be able to do so by removing their Hong Kong SIM card and using a VPN tool to ‘bypass’ the block instead.
However, TikTok in mainland China, Douyin, is still available.
Compiled from
Explainer: Why is TikTok blocked in Hong Kong?, HKFP, 15-03-2024
https://hongkongfp.com/2024/03/15/explainer-why-is-tiktok-blocked-in-hong-kong/
Additional information from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TikTok
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2024-04-12 16:09:55
