### The TikTok Paradox: Between National Security and Digital Reality
In a global context where technology and national security are increasingly intertwined, former President Donald Trump’s recent comments on TikTok open a complex and nuanced debate about data security, information gathering, and geopolitical influence. While he previously seemed extremely concerned about the possibility of the Chinese government having access to American users’ data, his recent statements have destabilized the national consensus around the risks posed by the app. Let’s analyze these developments through a different lens, by examining the dynamics of the data market and the impact of digital culture on our society.
#### A Global Digital Economy
Beyond the specific debate on TikTok, a broader reflection on the digital economy is necessary. As access to the Internet has become more widespread, the amount of data generated and exchanged on social platforms has exploded. According to a study by Statista, by 2025, almost 90% of the world’s internet users will use social media services, representing a huge market of new opportunities, but also challenges in terms of data protection.
It is therefore essential to question the dichotomy between a foreign player like TikTok and American tech giants such as Facebook or Google, which also collect massive data on their users. The main difference lies in the perception we have of these platforms: TikTok is often considered the “young people’s app”, while its American counterparts, with their domestic roots, are sometimes perceived as less threatening, despite being data collectors as well.
#### Nuanced Data Flows: A Fertile Economy for Spies
It is true that Trump’s statement about “kids watching crazy videos” may seem simplistic, but it raises a crucial question: how aware are we of what our data really reveals about us? Digital environments provide real-time exposure to surveillance, and as Eva Galperin, director of cybersecurity at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, has pointed out, “governments, no matter where they come from, can turn to data brokers.”
For example, a Stanford University study found that in 2022, nearly 40% of companies in the United States sold their users’ data to third parties, illustrating a market that is already well-entrenched in business culture. This underscores the ambivalence of current data protection laws, which seem more targeted at specific companies than the broader framework that protects them.
#### The Role Reversal: TikTok and Disinformation
Geopolitically, the danger lies not only in surveillance, but also in influencing public opinion. While the Chinese government may be tempted to use TikTok for information manipulation, it is clear that American platforms are already being used for disinformation purposes within the United States. The 2020 election, in particular, exposed fake news campaigns orchestrated using communication tools originating in the United States.
The concerns surrounding TikTok expose a flaw in our approach to social media regulation: we are quick to blame specific companies for poorly understood phenomena, without addressing the structures that underlie disinformation on the internet. The real question is how the United States, as an advanced digital economy, addresses the twin phenomena of disinformation and surveillance.
#### Towards Comprehensive Legislation: An Idea on Hold
While Trump is advocating a middle ground where the US would share ownership of TikTok with China, this seems unrealistic in a digital landscape already fragmented by security concerns. The real solution would be to adopt comprehensive data protection legislation at the national level. Rather than focusing solely on TikTok or other specific platforms, it would be wise to establish common standards that regulate data collection, regardless of its geographic origin.
Establishing a robust legal framework could allow users to better understand what information is being collected, who has access to it, and why. At the same time, it could also provide a shield against emerging trends in digital surveillance and data exploitation.
#### Conclusion: A Call to Action
Given the reality of an interconnected digital economy, it is imperative that the conversation about data security extends beyond the boundaries of individual apps and focuses on a comprehensive framework of protection. As political figures take various positions on platforms like TikTok, it becomes crucial to initiate a broader and informed conversation about how digital society shapes our lives, our daimons, and our data.
Recent revelations about the power of data to influence demand not only increased vigilance, but also collaborative action to strike a balance that protects citizens while fostering digital innovation. In a world where our information is our new currency, it is time to redefine the rules of the game.