India vs US: Contrasting paths in tackling TikTok's security challenges

On Wednesday, the US Supreme Court allowed TikTok and parent company ByteDance to make their case on Jan 10, nine days before a ban citing 'national security' is due to take effect.

When India banned TikTok along with 58 other Chinese apps in June 2020, the move was swift and decisive. It demonstrated that when it comes to national security concerns, it could act with speed and clarity. In contrast, the US, despite years of discussions and multiple legislative attempts, continues to grapple with how to address the perceived threats posed by the Chinese popular short-video platform.

GoI's ban came in the wake of border tensions with China. But the official notification cited concerns about data security and privacy. The ban was implemented under Section 69A of the IT Act 2000, which gives GoI power to block public access to content in the interest of national security.


Rather than prolonged debates, GoI moved quickly, working with ISPs and app stores to ensure complete compliance. The ban was implemented within days, affecting TikTok's then-largest market outside China, with over 200 mn users in India. While some critics argued the move was politically motivated, GoI maintained that the decision was purely based on security concerns.

In contrast, the US approach to TikTok has been marked by starts and stops, legal challenges, and political debate. The issue first gained prominence during the Trump administration, which attempted to force a sale of TikTok's US operations to American companies. This effort ultimately stalled in courts. Now, under the Biden administration, a new bipartisan push aims to force ByteDance to either sell the app or face a nationwide ban.

Concerns cited by US authorities are multi-layered:
Fear that ByteDance could be compelled by Chinese authorities to share US user data, a worry amplified by China's National Intelligence Law that requires companies to cooperate with state intelligence operations. FBI director Christopher Wray has repeatedly warned that TikTok's recommendation algorithm could be manipulated to influence American users or spread misinformation.

TikTok gathers substantial information about users' locations, device details and browsing habits. US authorities worry that this data could be used to track government employees, build dossiers for blackmail, or gain insights into US tech and infra.

India's ban cited similar concerns, but also emphasised the platform's impact on youth. Authorities here pointed to instances of cyberbullying, inappropriate content and addiction among young users. They also raised concerns about data being stored in servers outside India, making it vulnerable to foreign surveillance.

The contrasting approaches of these two democracies reflect their different political systems and legal frameworks. India's more centralised decision-making process allowed for quicker action, while the US system of checks and balances, combined with strong property rights protections, has made it more challenging to implement such sweeping measures.

TikTok's response to these challenges has also differed in both countries. In India, despite initial protests and job loss concerns, ByteDance eventually withdrew, writing off most of its Indian investment. In the US, it has invested heavily in lobbying efforts and PR campaigns, promoting its 'Project Texas' initiative to store US user data domestically and arguing that forced divestiture would not address security concerns.

The economic implications of these different approaches are significant. India's ban created space for local alternatives like Josh and Moj to come up. In the US, the platform's fate remains uncertain, with potential economic ramifications for content creators, advertisers and the broader digital economy.

Looking ahead, the US Congress' current push for legislation targeting TikTok marks a potential turning point. The RESTRICT (Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology) Act 2023, designed to address tech-based threats to security and other proposed measures, suggests the US is moving toward more decisive action.

As tech continues to blur national boundaries, both the US and Indian approaches offer lessons for other nations grappling with similar challenges in managing digital security threats, while preserving democratic values.