From App to Allegory: The TikTok Ban as a Symbol of Deeper Geopolitical Tensions

The global controversy surrounding the Chinese-owned short-form video hosting service, TikTok, has become a flashpoint in the broader geopolitical struggle between major world powers. Initially seen as just a forum for sharing short videos, the social media app has evolved into a symbol of deeper geopolitical tensions, particularly between the U.S. and China. This controversy underscores a significant shift towards digital sovereignty where control over digital spaces and information becomes as strategic as traditional territorial control.

What is Digital Sovereignty?

Digital sovereignty refers to the control and regulation a state exercises over the digital infrastructure, data, and technology that exists within its borders. Recently, this concept has become increasingly significant as nations have begun to recognize the strategic importance of digital information and technological capabilities. For example, India banned TikTok along with 58 other Chinese apps in June 2020 following a deadly border clash with China in the Galwan Valley. This decision was framed as a measure to protect India's sovereignty and integrity, but it also served as a powerful political statement in the context of escalating tensions between the two nations. The Indian government highlighted concerns about data security and the potential misuse of Indian users' data by the Chinese government. In a similar move only a month later, the United States (U.S.) government sought to prohibit transactions with ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, through executive order, citing concerns over data privacy and national security. The Trump administration argued TikTok's data collection practices could allow the Chinese government to access personal information of American users, and that they posed a significant threat to national security. These actions underscore how digital platforms are becoming entangled with geopolitical conflicts: the TikTok ban is not just a matter of national security—it also symbolizes a broader struggle for control in the digital age. By targeting a popular app like TikTok, both India and the United States have sent strong signals to China about their stance on digital sovereignty and national security.

The executive moves by the U.S. and India demonstrate digital sovereignty in action by highlighting the intersection of national security and control over digital spaces, as well as China’s adversarial role on the world stage. They exemplify just how much digital sovereignty plays a crucial role in contemporary geopolitical tensions. The U.S. views China's technological advancements and global influence as a significant threat to its hegemony and position on the world stage and this position has led to many policies aimed at curbing Chinese influence in the digital domain. This, however, becomes complicated as the global digital ecosystem is deeply interwoven, with technology companies, supply chains, and innovation hubs spanning the entire world. Information flow and digital economy statistics reveal a complex web of dependencies and influences between the U.S. and China. Despite efforts to decouple, significant amounts of data still flow between the two nations, continuing to impact trade, security, and economic policies. As a result, the digital economy has become a battleground where control over data and technology translates into strategic power, and moves against TikTok, from the U.S. and others, can be best interpreted as just one small part of a broader strategy to limit China's access to sensitive data and reduce its footprint in the global digital landscape. Thus, the U.S. and India’s actions against TikTok aren’t just symbolic—they are direct efforts to assert control over digital infrastructure and protect their citizens' data from foreign exploitation.

A New Digital Cold War

Given these policy decisions and the rising great power competition between the United States and China, many scholars are now likening the current geopolitical climate to a new, “digital” Cold War. This concept refers to the strategic competition between major world powers to control and influence digital spaces, akin to the ideological and political rivalry of the original Cold War. This time around, the conflict centers on information control, cybersecurity, and technological dominance, where digital infrastructure and data have become key assets in the global power struggle. Historical parallels between the original Cold War and the current digital Cold War reveal important similarities between these periods of geopolitical tension. For instance, technological advancements like nuclear weapons and space exploration were central to the rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the original Cold War. Now, the battleground has shifted to the digital realm, with control over data, communication networks, and cybersecurity measures have become paramount.

In this analogy, the recent policies limiting and banning TikTok echo past technology bans and restrictions. They show how crucial digital technologies have become critical aspects of national and international security strategies. Strategically, information control in a digital Cold War mirrors territorial control during the original Cold War. Today, nations aim to protect their “digital” borders by regulating foreign technology companies, securing critical digital infrastructure, and safeguarding sensitive data. A full TikTok ban exemplifies this approach, showing how a country may seek to limit foreign influence over their digital ecosystems. The most recent of these moves comes from the United States. In early 2024, President Biden signed a law that will lead to a nationwide ban on TikTok unless ByteDance sells the app within a year. This move is part of the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act," which has garnered significant bipartisan support in Congress. It is framed as a measure to protect national security, given concerns about potential data access by the Chinese government. TikTok, which has around 170 million users in the U.S., has stated it will challenge the law in court, arguing it is unconstitutional and claiming it could devastate numerous businesses and silence millions of users. The legal battle and the complexity of a forced sale suggest that immediate disruptions to TikTok's operations are unlikely, but the future of the app in the U.S. remains uncertain. However, regardless of the end result, it’s clear that by targeting a highly popular app with millions of users worldwide, the U.S. aims to demonstrate its commitment to safeguard national security and protect citizens' data from foreign surveillance. Evidently, the U.S. ban on TikTok is part of a broader strategy to decouple from Chinese technology and reduce dependency on Chinese digital services—a move that could prompt retaliatory measures from China, further escalating this new digital Cold War.

Implications

With a new Cold War, it is clear tensions would have wide reaching economic and political impacts, potentially spilling over into other areas of economic cooperation, disrupting supply chains and international trade agreements. Economically, countries invest heavily in developing and securing their technological capabilities, which has led to a race for digital supremacy. In this race, the U.S.-China rivalry is particularly pronounced: both nations strive to dominate key areas such as artificial intelligence, 5G networks, and cybersecurity. This competition extends beyond bilateral relations and has already impacted global trade, international alliances, and the regulatory landscape for digital technologies. Additionally, as digital platforms become integral to global commerce, actions like banning TikTok will almost certainly disrupt economic activities and reshape market dynamics. For example, TikTok's removal from major app stores in the U.S. could lead to a decline in user engagement and advertising revenue, affecting businesses that rely on the platform for marketing and outreach. Moreover, the ban would disrupt the revenue streams of content creators and influencers who have built their livelihoods around TikTok.

The increasing governmental involvement in regulating digital platforms also symbolizes a pivotal shift in political power, illustrating how nations are not just setting domestic policies but also framing international standards and norms for digital conduct. This trend, particularly notable among democratic countries, marks a relatively new strategy in the digital age. The strategic significance of these actions is amplified as countries like Russia and China demonstrate through their restrictive measures—like severe internet censorship and the Great Firewall—how control over digital spaces is integral to broader political strategies. Similarly, the widespread bans on TikTok across numerous nations underscore the use of digital policy as a tool to assert political strength and manage technological influence on a global scale. As digital sovereignty becomes increasingly complex, the decisions made by governments regarding platform access and digital regulation serve as powerful declarations of their priorities and approaches to countering perceived digital threats. These measures not only emphasize a government's role in digital oversight, but also position these actions as key components in the broader narrative of international political influence.

The long-term implications of the TikTok ban are profound, influencing not only global internet governance and trade relations, but also the international norms around digital sovereignty. As nations navigate the complexities of the digital age, the actions taken today will shape the future landscape of technology, security, and geopolitics. One significant implication is the potential fragmentation of the global internet. The TikTok ban highlights the trend towards digital nationalism, where countries seek to assert control over their digital ecosystems and limit foreign influence through isolation and decentralization. This could lead to a so-called digital balkanization, with different regions implementing distinct regulations and standards for digital services, and it may hinder the free flow of information and innovation, creating barriers to global collaboration and economic growth. Furthermore, as countries prioritize data security and technological self-sufficiency, we may see a shift towards more protectionist trade policies and increased scrutiny of cross-border technology transactions, which would disrupt global supply chains and impact the dynamics of international trade agreements.

Responses

The international responses to the TikTok ban highlight the varied perspectives and strategic interests of different nations in the evolving landscape of digital sovereignty. China's reaction, in particular, underscores the geopolitical and economic stakes involved in this issue, while other global stakeholders reflect their concerns and alignments in the digital realm. Chinese officials have condemned the ban as an unjust and politically motivated attack on a successful Chinese technology company. In response, China has considered implementing its own restrictions on U.S. technology firms operating within its borders, whilst also seeking to bolster its domestic technology sector, investing heavily in homegrown alternatives to foreign digital services to reduce dependency on international platforms. Other global stakeholders have also reacted to the TikTok ban with a mix of concern and strategic positioning. The European Union, for instance, has emphasized the importance of data protection and digital sovereignty and has since opened its own formal investigation into TikTok's data practices. Meanwhile, countries like Japan have expressed support for the U.S. stance on TikTok, while others, like Australia, have released statements stating “there is zero evidence that TikTok is in any way a national security risk.” Consequently, the TikTok ban symbolizes a broader movement toward digital sovereignty, marking a pivotal shift in the international political landscape where control over digital spaces is tantamount to safeguarding national security and asserting geopolitical dominance. As nations grapple with the complexities of the digital age, these measures will indelibly shape the future dynamics of technology, security, and global power.

Therefore, the TikTok ban is emblematic of a broader trend towards digital sovereignty and it signifies a pivotal shift in international relations where control over digital spaces becomes critical for national security and geopolitical strategy. As countries navigate the digital age's complexities, these actions will indelibly profoundly influence the future landscape of global technology, security, and political power.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent those of any previous or current employers, the editorial body of SIPR, the Freeman Spogili Institute, or Stanford University.