What They’re Really Scared Of Isn’t Data | TikTok Ban

Politicians are worried about TikTok. They claim it’s about data privacy, about protecting us from another country “stealing” our information. But let’s pause for a moment: is it really about data?

Here’s what TikTok has meant to me:

I’ve watched friends’ small businesses flourish and cried for strangers achieving their dreams. I’ve shared recipes from cultures I’d never experienced before and asked Muslim brothers and sisters how to respect their faith. I’ve deconstructed and reconstructed my own beliefs after years of walking away from the church, and I’ve found a new church family along the way.

TikTok has shown me how big the world is—and how small it can feel when we connect on such a human level.

This platform isn’t just an app; it’s a tool for empowerment. It’s allowed everyday people to build something outside the traditional norms. It’s allowed us to tell our own stories, to share experiences and ideas that challenge the status quo.

The politicians’ concerns? They feel like a distraction. People volunteer far more personal information on platforms like Facebook and Twitter without scrutiny. TikTok’s real threat isn’t to our data—it’s to the status quo. They don’t like the stories being told because they can’t control the storytellers.

TikTok gave us a new way to connect, grow, and thrive. That’s what they’re afraid of. It’s not the data—they fear the power of people.

So, what can we do?

Here are 5 action steps to protect platforms like TikTok and the voices they amplify:

1. Engage with creators: Likes, shares, and comments amplify diverse voices and ensure their stories reach a wider audience.

2. Advocate for fair digital policies: Push for laws that prioritize user rights over corporate control. Stay informed and contact your representatives.

3. Support media literacy initiatives: Learn how to identify misinformation and share resources with others to strengthen collective understanding.

4. Elevate underrepresented voices: Use your platform—no matter how big or small—to spotlight creators who challenge norms and share new perspectives.

5. Stay vocal about free expression: Speak out against censorship disguised as security. Our collective power lies in telling our stories.

TikTok’s greatest strength is the human connection it fosters. Let’s protect that, because the real revolution isn’t in algorithms—it’s in the stories we tell.

Let’s keep creating, sharing, and connecting. Because the future depends on the voices we amplify today.