Responding to the Supreme Court’s decision upholding a US government’s decision to ban TikTok on national security grounds due to alleged ties between its parent company, ByteDance, and the Chinese government, Lauren Armistead, Deputy Director at Amnesty Tech, said: “Banning TikTok does nothing to address the endemic human rights risks and harms associated with the surveillance-based business models of Tik Tok and other major tech companies such as Google and Meta.
“This measure unnecessarily restricts the right to freedom of expression, which includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information. Rather than applying arbitrary bans, US authorities should introduce regulations that govern all tech platforms to protect everyone’s human rights in the digital age.”
“The dangers of mass data collection and social media algorithms, such as the amplification of hate on Meta platforms are well known. With the coming change in administration, Amnesty urges US regulators to maintain focus on tackling the systemic issues of the surveillance-based business model of major tech companies and ensure a rights-respecting online environment.
Source: Amnesty