It’s been nearly a decade since the Cambridge Analytica scandal exposed the dark side of social media, data harvesting, and political manipulation. The scandal, which involved Facebook misusing user data to influence elections, was a wake-up call for the world. But now, in 2025, a new controversy is emerging—one that might be even bigger.

With the US government cracking down on TikTok, citing concerns over data privacy, election interference, and Chinese influence, the question arises: Are we on the verge of another Cambridge Analytica moment? And is TikTok the next major player in the data war?

The Cambridge Analytica Scandal: A Quick Recap

Before diving into TikTok’s situation, let’s rewind to the 2018 Facebook-Cambridge Analytica controversy.

  • What happened? Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm, harvested data from 87 million Facebook users without consent.
  • How? A personality quiz app tricked users into giving access to their data—and Facebook’s loose security policies at the time allowed data collection on users’ friends as well.
  • Why does it matter? The data was used to create hyper-targeted political ads, which allegedly influenced major elections, including Brexit and the 2016 US Presidential Election.

This scandal exposed how big tech, politics, and data privacy intertwine in ways that most users don’t even realise. Now, fast forward to today, and TikTok is facing similar accusations—but this time, the stakes might be even higher.

TikTok and the American Data War

TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, has exploded in popularity, especially among young Americans. With over 150 million US users, it holds massive amounts of personal data—including location, search history, and even biometric data.

The US government has repeatedly accused TikTok of:

  1. Data harvesting – Collecting excessive amounts of user data that could be accessed by the Chinese government.
  2. Election interference – Potentially influencing public opinion through its algorithm, similar to what Cambridge Analytica did.
  3. Surveillance concerns – The belief that China could use TikTok to spy on American citizens.

These claims have led to calls for a TikTok ban, multiple government investigations, and even attempts to force ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US operations.

But is TikTok really the next Cambridge Analytica? Or is this all just political fear-mongering?

The Similarities: Why TikTok Could Be the Next Cambridge Analytica

There are clear parallels between Facebook’s 2018 scandal and TikTok’s current situation:

1. Massive Data Collection

Like Facebook back in the day, TikTok collects and stores a huge amount of user data—often more than users realise. This includes:
Facial recognition data (via filters and effects)
Keystroke patterns (which can track typing habits)
Location tracking (even when the app isn’t open)
Browsing history and personal interests

This level of data tracking raises concerns about how the information is being used—and who has access to it.

2. Algorithmic Manipulation

One of the biggest revelations from Cambridge Analytica was that social media platforms could be used to manipulate public opinion through targeted content.

TikTok’s For You Page (FYP) algorithm is one of the most powerful and mysterious in the world—it decides what users see, how trends spread, and even which political messages gain traction.

  • Could TikTok subtly push certain political narratives?
  • Could foreign governments use it to amplify misinformation?
  • Could it influence elections, just like Facebook ads did in 2016?

These are the exact same fears that surrounded Facebook and Cambridge Analytica—except now, TikTok is even more addictive, more engaging, and more widely used by younger generations.

3. A Lack of Transparency

When Facebook was exposed in the Cambridge Analytica scandal, one of the biggest criticisms was how little users actually knew about what was happening with their data.

TikTok is facing similar scrutiny:

  • The company has denied sharing data with the Chinese government, but the US isn’t convinced.
  • Employees have leaked reports showing that China-based staff did have access to US user data.
  • The algorithm remains a black box, with little clarity on how content is prioritised and filtered.

This lack of transparency fuels suspicions that something bigger might be happening behind the scenes.

The Differences: Is TikTok Being Targeted Unfairly?

While the Cambridge Analytica scandal was an undeniable data breach, TikTok’s case isn’t as clear-cut. Some argue that the US government’s crackdown on TikTok is politically motivated, rather than based on real evidence of wrongdoing.

1. Political Agendas

  • US-China tensions have been escalating, with the US placing sanctions on Chinese tech companies like Huawei and ByteDance.
  • Many believe that TikTok is being used as a scapegoat in a larger geopolitical battle.
  • If TikTok were an American company, would it be facing the same scrutiny?

2. Other Tech Giants Do the Same Thing

  • Facebook, Google, and Instagram also collect massive amounts of user data—but they aren’t facing bans in the US.
  • Many American platforms also use AI-powered algorithms to influence user behaviour—so why is TikTok being singled out?

3. No Direct Election Interference (Yet)

  • Unlike Cambridge Analytica, which was proven to have used data to manipulate elections, there is no concrete evidence that TikTok has done the same—at least not yet.
  • However, with the 2024 US election still fresh in people’s minds, fears of foreign influence are stronger than ever.

What Happens Next? A Digital Cold War?

Whether TikTok is the next Cambridge Analytica or just a political pawn, one thing is clear: we are entering a new era of digital warfare.

Some possible outcomes include:

A TikTok ban or forced sale in the US – The government might push for ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US operations to an American company.
Stronger data privacy laws – The controversy could lead to tighter regulations on all social media platforms, not just TikTok.
A rise in alternative platforms – With trust in big tech declining, more users might turn to decentralised social media networks.
A bigger focus on AI manipulation – As AI deepfakes and algorithmic bias become more sophisticated, the risks of election interference and misinformation will grow.

Final Thoughts: Should We Be Worried?

The Cambridge Analytica scandal changed the way we think about social media and data privacy—but it didn’t stop governments, tech companies, or bad actors from exploiting user data for power.

With TikTok now at the centre of a global controversy, we have to ask ourselves:

  • Who really controls our data?
  • Are we being manipulated without realising it?
  • And will history repeat itself?

One thing is certain—this isn’t just about TikTok. It’s about the future of social media, democracy, and digital privacy. And whether we’re ready or not, the battle for control over our data is only just beginning.