World
TikTok ban goes to the court: 5 essential reads on the case and its consequences
TikTok Ban? TikTok is challenging a U.S. law that could force it to separate from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. This legal battle raises concerns about free speech, data privacy, and national security.
Eric Smalley, The Conversation and Matt Williams, The Conversation
TikTok headed to court on Sept. 16, 2024, in a bid to overturn a law that would force the video app to divorce from its China-based parent company or be banned in the U.S.
During the appearance before a panel of judges at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, lawyers for TikTok said imposing such a prohibition would have “staggering” consequences for free speech.
The court hearing is the latest development in a lengthy saga over the fate of an app that is widely popular, especially among young Americans, but that many politicians in Washington fear poses or is a security risk.
Whatever the outcome of the oral arguments presented by lawyers from the U.S. government on one side and TikTok and parent company ByteDance on the other, it’s unlikely to be the end of the story. Many analysts expect the case will head to the Supreme Court.
But why is TikTok controversial? Are the claims of it being a national security risk valid? And what will the case mean for free speech? The Conversation’s contributors have been on hand to answer these and other questions.
1. An agent of the Chinese state?
Politicians who want to ban TikTok, or at least sever its links to China, fear that the app provides a way for the Chinese Communist Party to influence Americans or use their data for malicious purposes. But how much influence does the Chinese government have at TikTok? That question is addressed by Shaomin Li, a scholar of China’s political economy and business at Old Dominion University.
Li explains that the relationship between TikTok, ByteDance and the Chinese Communist Party is nuanced – it isn’t simply a matter of officials in Beijing telling ByteDance to jump and the parent company dictating how high its subsidiary will leap. Rather, as with all companies in China, employees are under certain obligations when it comes to advancing national interests. In China, private enterprises, such as ByteDance, operate as joint ventures with the state.
“Regardless of whether ByteDance has formal ties with the party, there will be the tacit understanding that the management is working for two bosses: the investors of the company and, more importantly, their political overseers that represent the party,” Li writes. “But most importantly, when the interests of the two bosses conflict, the party trumps.”
2. Exploiting user data
The risks TikTok poses to U.S. users are similar to the risks posed by many popular apps, principally that the app collects data about you. That data, which includes contact information and website tracking, plus all data you post and messages you send through the app, is available to use or misuse by ByteDance and any other entity that has or gains access to it.
Iowa State University cybersecurity researcher Doug Jacobson writes that U.S. officials and lawmakers are concerned that the Chinese government could exploit TikTok user data to spy on U.S. citizens. Government hackers could use the TikTok data to trick users into revealing more personal information.
But if the goal is to counter Chinese hackers, banning TikTok might prove too little, too late. “By some estimates, the Chinese government has already collected personal information on at least 80% of the U.S. population via various means,” Jacobson writes. “The Chinese government – along with anyone else with money – also has access to the large market for personal data.”
3. The security risks of a ban
Banning TikTok could also make U.S. users more vulnerable to hackers of all stripes. Rochester Institute of Technology computer security expert Robert Olson writes that many of the more than 100 million U.S. TikTok users could try to get around a ban on the app, with negative consequences for their digital safety.
If TikTok ends up banned from Apple’s and Google’s app stores, users could try to access the app elsewhere via sideloading. This practice of getting around Apple and Google app stores leaves users vulnerable to malware posing as the TikTok app. TikTok users might also be motivated to circumvent Apple and Google security controls in order to keep the app installed, a move that would make users’ phones more vulnerable.
“I find it unlikely that a TikTok ban would be technologically enforceable,” Olson writes. “This … legislation – aimed at improving cybersecurity – could motivate users to engage in riskier digital behavior.”
4. First Amendment concerns
In its legal challenge to the U.S. government, ByteDance claims the government is violating its First Amendment rights. Technology law scholars Anupam Chander of Georgetown University and Gautam Hans of Cornell University write that ByteDance has grounds for its claim, and that the implications go beyond this case.
TikTok is a publisher, an online publisher of users’ videos. Forcing ByteDance to divest TikTok is a form of prior restraint – the government preventing speech before it occurs.
“By forcing the sale of TikTok to an entity without ties to the Chinese Communist Party, Congress’ intent with the law is to change the nature of the platform,” they write. “That kind of government action implicates the core concerns that the First Amendment was designed to protect against: government interference in the speech of private parties.”
5. What about the others?
Security and legal issues aside, the forced sale to a U.S.-based company or ban of TikTok in the United States is a questionable approach to solving the problems the law aims to address: potential Chinese government influence in the U.S., harm to teens, and data privacy violations, writes Arizona State media scholar Sarah Florini.
The Chinese government – and other U.S. adversaries – has long used social media apps owned by U.S. companies to attempt to influence American public opinion. TikTok is hardly alone in posing harm to teens, as the Facebook whistleblower case amply demonstrated. And vast amounts of Americans’ personal data are already available to any buyer on the open and black markets.
“Concerns about TikTok are not unfounded, but they are also not unique. Each threat posed by TikTok has also been posed by U.S.-based social media for over a decade,” Florini writes.
Eric Smalley, Science + Technology Editor, The Conversation and Matt Williams, Senior International Editor, The Conversation
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
STM Daily News is a vibrant news blog dedicated to sharing the brighter side of human experiences. Emphasizing positive, uplifting stories, the site focuses on delivering inspiring, informative, and well-researched content. With a commitment to accurate, fair, and responsible journalism, STM Daily News aims to foster a community of readers passionate about positive change and engaged in meaningful conversations. Join the movement and explore stories that celebrate the positive impacts shaping our world. https://stmdailynews.com/
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Amin Saikal, Australian National University
Exploding Pager
The alleged Israeli attack on members of Hezbollah via their pagers is another ominous development propelling the Middle East towards a full-scale regional war. It leaves Hezbollah with little option but to retaliate with the full support of the Iran-led “axis of resistance”.
The sophistication and impact of targeting the pagers is unprecedented. The attack resulted in at least 11 deaths, including some of Hezbollah’s fighters, and up to 3,000 people wounded.
The main aim of the attack, which US officials have reportedly said was carried out by Israel, was intended to disrupt Hezbollah’s means of communication and its command and control system in Lebanon.
At 3:30 p.m., the pagers received a message that appeared as though it was coming from Hezbollah’s leadership then beeped for several seconds before
exploding.
W\@PatrickKingsley @euanward_ @mlevenson https://t.co/8vzPIAqAXA— Ronen Bergman (@ronenbergman) September 18, 2024
Since Hezbollah has reduced the use of mobile phones by its forces because Israel can easily detect and target them, pagers have increasingly become the preferred messaging device within the group.
The attack may have also been designed to cause panic within the group and among the Lebanese public, many of whom do not support Hezbollah, given the political divisions in the country.
Since Hamas’ October 7 attacks on southern Israel, the Israeli leadership under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said it is determined to remove the threat of Hezbollah, which has operated in solidarity with Hamas.
Hours before the pager attack, Netanyahu’s government clarified that Israel’s war goals would expand to include a return of the tens of thousands of residents to their homes in northern Israel, which they have fled due to constant rocket fire from Hezbollah. Israel’s defence minister, Yoav Gallant, said the only way to do this was through military action.
The simultaneous pager explosions on Tuesday, then, may be a prelude to an all-out Israeli offensive against Hezbollah.
The consequences of war with Hezbollah
Hezbollah has already declared it will retaliate. What form this will take remains to be seen. The group has a massive military capability to not only to pound northern Israel with drones and missiles, but also attack other parts of the Jewish state, including heavily populated cities such as Tel Aviv.
Hezbollah showed this capability in its 2006 war with Israel. The war lasted 34 days, during which 165 Israelis were killed (121 IDF soldiers and 44 civilians) and Israel’s economy and tourist industry were markedly damaged. Hezbollah and Lebanese losses were far greater, with at least 1,100 deaths. However, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) failed to destroy or incapacitate the group.
Any successful retaliatory attack on Israel’s cities could result in serious civilian casualties, giving Israel a further pretext to pursue its long-held aim of destroying Hezbollah and punishing its main backer, the Islamic Republic of Iran.
In a wider conflict, the United States is committed to defending Israel, while Iran would support Hezbollah in whatever way necessary. If Israeli and US leaders think Iran will continue to refrain from any action that could propel it into war with Israel and the US, they are mistaken.
Hezbollah is a central piece in the regime’s national and regional security paradigm. Tehran has invested heavily in the group, along with other regional affiliates – Iraqi militias, the Yemeni Houthis and the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad, in particular. The aim of this “axis of resistance” has been to build a strong deterrent against Israel and the US.
Ever since its foundation 45 years ago, the Iranian regime has viewed Israel and its main backer, the US, as an existential threat, just as Israel has regarded Iran in the same way. For this, the regime has reoriented its foreign relations towards America’s major adversaries, especially Russia and China. Russo-Iranian military cooperation has grown so strong, in fact, that Moscow will have little hesitation in backing Iran and its affiliates in any war.
Tehran is fully cognisant of Israel’s nuclear prowess. To guard against it, Iran has developed its own nuclear program to the threshold level of developing a weapon. Iranian leaders may have also gained Russia’s assurances it would help defend Iran should Israel resort to the use of its nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, it is important to remember that after nearly a year of demolishing Gaza and devastating its inhabitants, Israel has not been able to wipe out Hamas.
Its own actions speak to this. It has constantly forced Gazans to relocate so IDF soldiers can operate in areas they had previously declared to be cleared of fighters.
The task of defeating Hezbollah and its backers would be a far greater objective to achieve. It carries the serious risk of a war that all parties have been saying that they do not want, yet all are preparing for.
The pager attack is just the latest in a string of operations that keeps imperilling any chances of a permanent Gaza ceasefire that could stabilise the region and contribute to the causes of peace rather than war.
Amin Saikal, Emeritus professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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On August 6, Italy’s Defense Ministry reported that Eurofighter Typhoons were dispatched to intercept unidentified aircraft flying in the Baltic region. The jets took off from the Siauliai airbase in northern Lithuania following directives from a NATO surveillance center located in Germany. While the ministry did not disclose details regarding the aircraft’s identity, the incident underscores the heightened vigilance in the area.
Baltic Airspace
The Baltic states—Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia—are part of the NATO alliance and have been vocal critics of Russia, especially since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This geopolitical tension has led to increased surveillance and readiness along the eastern borders of the NATO alliance.
Italy assumed leadership of the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission at the beginning of August. This mission is part of NATO’s efforts to ensure the security and integrity of the airspace over the Baltic nations, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict and heightened tensions with Russia. The interception by Italian fighters reflects the alliance’s commitment to maintaining a robust defensive posture in the region.
NATO’s air policing missions, including those over the Baltic states, are a routine part of its collective defense strategy. These missions involve monitoring and intercepting unauthorized or suspicious aircraft to prevent potential threats to the airspace of member countries. With Italy now at the helm, the mission continues to play a crucial role in maintaining stability and security in a region that remains on edge.
As the geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe remains tense, NATO’s vigilance and rapid response capabilities are more crucial than ever in ensuring the safety and sovereignty of its member nations.
Read the article on Reuters.com
STM Daily News is a vibrant news blog dedicated to sharing the brighter side of human experiences. Emphasizing positive, uplifting stories, the site focuses on delivering inspiring, informative, and well-researched content. With a commitment to accurate, fair, and responsible journalism, STM Daily News aims to foster a community of readers passionate about positive change and engaged in meaningful conversations. Join the movement and explore stories that celebrate the positive impacts shaping our world.
https://stmdailynews.com/category/stories-this-moment
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Breaking News
Services Resume After Global Computer Outage Disrupts Valley Airports and Phoenix Police
In a troubling turn of events early Friday morning, a massive global computer outage wreaked havoc across various sectors, including the Valley’s own Sky Harbor International Airport and the Phoenix Police Department. However, as the day progressed, many services began to return to normal, much to the relief of travelers and residents alike.
Airport Chaos
Sky Harbor International Airport was one of the first institutions to report issues, posting an alert on X (formerly Twitter) about significant delays and cancellations. By mid-morning, over 50 flights had been affected, although it remained unclear how many were directly related to the outage versus other operational challenges. FlightAware, a flight tracking service, indicated that thousands of flights were experiencing delays and cancellations nationwide.
Sky Harbor urged passengers to check directly with their airlines for the most accurate information regarding their flights. They warned travelers to expect longer lines as airline staff worked diligently to check in passengers amidst the confusion. By around 11:45 a.m., the airport announced that operations had returned to normal, though the ordeal had left many travelers frustrated. One traveler recounted waiting for hours and fearing he would miss an important graduation ceremony.
Mesa Gateway Airport also felt the impact of the outage, with all flights in and out of the airport canceled until at least 11 a.m. on Friday.
Impact on Public Safety
The ramifications of the outage extended beyond air travel, affecting public safety communications as well. Early reports indicated that numerous police departments across the U.S. experienced disruptions in their 911 services. In Phoenix, the Police Department confirmed that their 911 call center systems were restored after the widespread outage began late Thursday night. They encouraged the public to use non-emergency lines during the disruption, highlighting the importance of patience as they addressed the backlog of calls.
The Phoenix Fire Department also faced challenges, having to revert to manual processes to manage calls due to impacts on their computerized dispatch center. Thankfully, technology professionals were able to restore their systems swiftly.
Healthcare Sector Strain
The healthcare sector was not spared from the disruptions. Valleywise Health reported that some of its IT systems were impacted, necessitating a return to paper for certain patient charting processes. However, the emergency departments and the Level I Trauma Center remained operational, and scheduled surgeries continued as planned.
Banner Health, on the other hand, communicated to its employees that most ambulatory services would be closing for the day to focus on acute care facilities. Their official statement confirmed that while hospitals were open for inpatient care and emergencies, many other locations would remain closed due to the outage.
A Broader Impact
The ripple effects of this global computer outage reached beyond airports and emergency services. Gas stations, retailers, and shipping companies also reported disruptions, leading to inconvenience for consumers during their daily errands.
Fortunately, as the day unfolded, Microsoft 365 announced that services were beginning to return to normal, though residual impacts continued to affect some applications. According to tech expert Ken Colburn, the underlying issue had been identified, but required technical expertise to resolve for those affected.
Protecting Personal Data
While the CEO of Crowdstrike reassured the public that this incident was not a security breach or cyberattack, it did raise concerns about personal data safety. Here are some proactive measures consumers can take to protect themselves:
- Enhance Password Protection: Regularly change passwords, avoid reuse, and enable two-factor authentication where possible.
- Monitor Credit: Take advantage of free annual credit reports from major bureaus to keep an eye on your credit health.
- Consider a Credit Freeze: This adds an extra layer of security, preventing new accounts from being opened without your knowledge.
- Be Cautious with Links: Avoid clicking on unknown links or downloading attachments unless you are expecting them.
- Use Secure Payment Methods: Exercise caution with peer-to-peer payment platforms that may lack consumer protections.
As Valley residents and travelers breathe a sigh of relief with services returning to normal, this incident serves as a reminder of our growing dependence on technology and the importance of being prepared for unexpected disruptions. Stay informed, stay safe, and always protect your personal information.
For detailed information on this unfolding event, visit ABC News 15 Arizona’s website: https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/sky-harbor-airport-impacted-by-global-internet-outage.
STM Daily News is a vibrant news blog dedicated to sharing the brighter side of human experiences. Emphasizing positive, uplifting stories, the site focuses on delivering inspiring, informative, and well-researched content. With a commitment to accurate, fair, and responsible journalism, STM Daily News aims to foster a community of readers passionate about positive change and engaged in meaningful conversations. Join the movement and explore stories that celebrate the positive impacts shaping our world.
https://stmdailynews.com/category/stories-this-moment
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