So you got your nani to dab, my niece is doing the Savage dance, doctors are explaining COVID-19 precautions, and Trump rally seats are being emptied. 

As we clap for the many belly-laugh worthy video, memes, pranks and prime content, TikTok is making waves for a different reason, as India bans the use of it and 50+ other applications, “for posing a "threat to sovereignty and integrity."

While some speculate the motivation behind the ban following a border clash between India and China earlier this month, theories surrounding privacy and data abuse are also rising to the surface once again.

While Tiktok owners deny ever being asked for data linked to their Indian databases, tech analysts are critical of the plausibility and their surveillance protocols. 

Tiktok has made headlines before, as their app was found reading user data clipboards. But this time, the security and safety of young children on the platform is being called to question. 

As we all look to successful platforms as independent marketing and distribution routes for artists and creatives globally, we are seldom critical of their security and privacy protocols. 

Many of us operate with the mindset of having “nothing to hide”--  but perhaps it's more about having something to lose. 

Cybersecurity and data privacy technician and content creator, Tazin Khan Norelius, aka TechwithTaz breaks down her take on the recent ban and the privacy implications of using TikTok.


So what will life after TikTok look like for India? Users are quickly transferring over to Tiktok competitor “Triller”, and rumors of Instagram's new “Reels' ' feature are beginning to arise. 

Experts say that Tik Tok being banned in India could make the company lose up to $6 billion dollars.

TikTok can likely do some damage control by moving away from its Beijing affiliations, while also addressing or updating some of the concerns about security breaches.

Irrespective of the user friendliness or features of the platforms likely to replace their predecessor, perhaps we ought to look into the safety of the digital realm we have spent the better part of a decade expanding.

Content creators often share perils of death threats, hackers, financial, legal, and physical harassment due to the size of their digital footprints. 

Maybe content needs context, and surveillance needs clarification. When we agree to “terms and conditions” or plugins and outputs, what are we really signing up for?

If you need me, i'll be downloading a password manager and reevaluating my location tagging. 

About the author

More by
News
5X Press is a forum for opinions, conversations, & experiences, powered by South Asian youth. The views expressed here are not representative of those of 5X Festival.