In the United States, a ban on Tiktok has been on the wallpaper for some time. The discussion has come to Europe, but the Swedes are divided on the issue. 34 percent want to ban TikTok in Sweden, while 39 percent think the app should be allowed. 27 percent are uncertain or have no definite opinion on the issue, according to a new Novus survey conducted on behalf of TV4 News.
Men want to ban more than women
Men want to ban Tiktok more than women in Sweden. Older men are the group that is most positive to a ban. Young people, who are the age group that dominate on the platform, are the most negative to a ban.
– It’s a bad idea. It is an app that invites people to cohesion and much more, says Hedda Swartling, 22, to TV4 News.
SD and L Most Tictoc-Critical
There is currently no parliamentary majority that wants to ban TikTok in Sweden, although from both left and right, it is flagged for any security risks with social media that collect large quantities of user data. The Swedish Democrats and the Liberals are the ones who are most critical of TikTok.
– We think that TikTok must get a European owner, in the same way as the discussion individually, for example, America that it should be an American owner, says School Minister Johan Pehrson (L) to TV4 News.
Toxic algorithms hurt
The Liberals state that TikTok should be banned if the European part of the company is not sold to European owners.
– The toxic algorithms that harm young people, but also pose a security risk for Sweden’s security. For Europe’s security, it must be limited, Johan Pehrson (L) continues.
The Swedish Democrats’ press service writes in an email to TV4 News that they want to introduce an overall ban on government officials to download Tiktok on their phones.
“Tiktok has noted links to the Chinese Communist Party, and an undemocratic totalitarian regime,” the party writes to TV4 News.
So the parliamentary parties like tictok
Does your party think that TikTok should be allowed or prohibited in Sweden?
C: Allowed. The Center Party does not support the ban on any communication apps, except if it was a security threat, established by Säpo or the equivalent authority. Since this is not the case for TikTok today, we are against a general ban. As a liberal party, we protect the individual’s free communication and choice of media. But because of the app’s extensive data retrieval, which ultimately risks landing with the Chinese state, we believe that people in socially sensitive workplaces should not have Tiktok discharged on their work phone. For example, the Riksdag’s members, like employees of the police and the defense, should not have TikTok on their work phones.
KD: For a long time there has been a debate about how the Chinese regime may use digital and technical infrastructure for its own purpose – which makes the western world vulnerable. For example, it is about Chinese technology and software, produced in China, can be used to either collect sensitive and strategic information or potentially also controlled by Chinese authorities in the event of a political or military conflict. Here, steps have already been taken, but the Christian Democrats believe that the EU must immediately take greater control over this strategic and security policy issue – and through legislation limit potential harmful effects of Chinese technology that can be used for purposes other than the imagined. The same criticism has come to the social media platform TikTok, which in many countries has been banned on public employees’ phones and where it is suspected that Chinese authorities can not only spy on users, but also control the algorithms away from China sensitive criticism or used for disinformation campaigns. The United States is now taking measures and steps to remove a Chinese -based tictoc from the country and the Christian Democrats believe that the platform should be banned within the EU – or alternatively sold to a safer party.
L: China -owned app TikTok is a source of distribution for disinformation and impact campaigns, and can be abused to spread fake news. There is a risk that users’ data will be leaked directly to the Chinese regime. Social media should not have dictatorships as owners – therefore the EU, like the United States, must demand that the European part of Tiktok be sold to a new owner in a democratic country. Furthermore, authorities in the EU and Member States should prohibit the installation of security -sensitive apps such as TikTok on work tools.
MP: The Environment Party has no proposal for a ban, but we believe it is very important to follow how users’ data is handled, especially given the serious security situation in the world. Sensitive tasks should never end up in the wrong hands and we should safeguard human integrity. But as a starting point, people should have free access to the Internet, so if it is to be limited, it must be done well thought out.
M: There are a number of fundamental objections to banning a single channel in social media. In addition, it is difficult to see what a national ban would look like, exactly what would be banned and how would the ban be controlled?
V: We do not believe in banning or censoring certain types of apps or other media platforms. But all apps and mobiles that collect a large amount of personal data are a security issue that should be taken seriously. This is especially true of apps that are linked to dictatorships or authoritarian states, or that give individuals a lot of power. There are several apps and platforms that collect and use personal data, for example for marketing purposes. The Left Party believes that the tech giants need to be regulated more severely regarding unnecessary and involuntary collection of data, as well as targeted advertising. In general, it is important that all users have an awareness of their personal data and how it is used.
S: Not answered
SD: TikTok has noted links to the Chinese Communist Party, and an undemocratic totalitarian regime. We follow developments in the United States closely, and see risks with Tiktok’s presence, especially on state officials’ phones. First and foremost, we want to review a ban on this.