Exploring How a New Era of Social Media Regulations Could Change the Digital World
As of 19th January 2025, the U.S. is set to impose a ban on TikTok, one of the world’s most popular social media platforms. This decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing tension between social media, national security, and individual privacy. But this TikTok ban represents more than the end of dance videos and viral trends for American users—it’s a signpost for the future of social media, surveillance, technology, and the complex relationship between global powers.
In this post, we’ll explore what the TikTok ban might mean for the future of social media platforms, how it could influence other governments, and why this moment is a critical one for the evolving concept of surveillance capitalism.
Why Is TikTok Being Banned in the United States?
The decision to ban TikTok in the U.S. stems from concerns over user data privacy and potential political influence from foreign governments. TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, has faced scrutiny for years over its data collection practices. U.S. officials argue that TikTok could be used by the Chinese government to access sensitive data on American citizens, track location patterns, and even influence public opinion.
Whether or not these concerns are substantiated, the ban aligns with a growing trend in the U.S. and other countries: the regulation of foreign-owned tech platforms to safeguard national security and data privacy. This step could become a precedent for governments worldwide, influencing how they regulate not only social media but technology companies in general.
The Future of Social Media: Decentralisation and Nationalisation
The TikTok ban may signal a shift toward a more fragmented internet, where each nation creates its own digital ecosystem. This trend, often called the “splinternet,” refers to the way countries may increasingly regulate or restrict access to global platforms. We’ve already seen examples of this in China, which has its own ecosystem of apps like WeChat and Douyin (a Chinese version of TikTok). Russia has also worked to control and restrict its citizens’ access to certain global platforms.
If the U.S. leads the way in banning foreign-owned social media apps, we may see a rise in nationalised or regional platforms that cater to specific countries and align with their respective political and cultural values. For social media users, this shift could limit access to global perspectives and diminish the ability to connect internationally. For brands and influencers, the “splinternet” might mean needing to maintain separate presences on different apps for different regions.
Technology and Surveillance Capitalism: The Role of Data in the New Era
One of the most critical aspects of the TikTok ban lies in its connection to surveillance capitalism. Coined by academic Shoshana Zuboff, this term describes a business model where user data is commodified and sold to advertisers, corporations, and often governments. Social media companies, including TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, are built on this model, collecting enormous amounts of user data to offer personalised ads and content.
TikTok’s ban draws attention to the risks involved in surveillance capitalism, where companies (and potentially foreign governments) can gain intimate insights into people’s behaviour. The issue isn’t limited to foreign-owned apps; surveillance capitalism is at the core of virtually all major social media platforms. As more people become aware of the trade-off between “free” services and their data privacy, we may see increased demand for transparency and control over personal information.
The TikTok ban may prompt other countries to impose stricter regulations on tech companies, requiring them to handle data with greater transparency and accountability. This could usher in a new era of digital privacy laws and raise awareness about how surveillance capitalism affects individual freedom and societal well-being.
Social Media as a Tool of Political Influence and Propaganda
In recent years, social media has become one of the most powerful tools for shaping public opinion. Platforms like TikTok and Twitter amplify voices and spread messages at incredible speeds, making them influential forces in political discourse. For governments, controlling social media platforms can mean controlling a channel that directly impacts public opinion, behaviour, and even voting patterns.
The U.S. government’s decision to ban TikTok is partly rooted in fears that foreign influence on social media could be used for propaganda or to sway opinions in domestic affairs. This concern isn’t new; social media platforms have been scrutinised for their role in spreading misinformation during elections and significant global events. But with the TikTok ban, we’re witnessing the first large-scale attempt by the U.S. to block foreign influence by eliminating a widely used app altogether.
For other governments, the TikTok ban may serve as a template for dealing with social media platforms they see as security risks or tools for external political influence. Ultimately, this raises questions about the future of free speech on global platforms and whether governments will increasingly intervene in digital spaces to control narratives.
The Impact on Tech Innovation and Global Collaboration
This ban isn’t just about social media; it may influence the future of tech innovation and global collaboration. Major tech companies like Apple and Google, as well as smaller developers, will need to navigate new regulations that may limit their ability to operate freely across borders.
For tech companies, this may mean investing more in data protection measures or exploring decentralised platforms that can offer users more control over their data. There may also be a renewed interest in blockchain-based or decentralised social media platforms, where users have more privacy, ownership, and security over their information.
In a world where every country has its own tech regulations, collaboration across borders may become more challenging. For tech companies, this could slow innovation as they must navigate each country’s unique restrictions. For users, this could mean fewer options and more limitations on what apps they can use and which connections they can make.
A New Era of Accountability in Social Media?
The TikTok ban represents a turning point for social media companies, one that could lead to a greater emphasis on accountability. If companies are required to be more transparent about how they collect, store, and share data, we may see a shift toward platforms that prioritise privacy and ethical data practices. Users, too, are becoming more aware of the ways in which social media companies profit from their data.
As this awareness grows, we may see a rise in digital advocacy, with people calling for more control over their online data and more ethical practices from social media companies. Platforms that fail to protect user privacy may face greater backlash, leading to more ethical alternatives for users concerned with data security.
The Road Ahead for Social Media and Politics
The U.S. TikTok ban could mark the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between social media, politics, and technology. As countries regulate and ban platforms for security reasons, we may see a more fragmented digital world, where social media isn’t universal but shaped by national interests.
While this shift has its risks, it also presents an opportunity. By understanding the complex relationship between data privacy, political influence, and surveillance capitalism, we can build a future for social media that empowers users rather than exploiting them.
At Flaminky, we believe in exploring these critical moments in tech and social media with a lens toward transparency, innovation, and responsibility. As the digital landscape evolves, we’re here to offer insights and perspectives that help make sense of our rapidly changing world.