Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has voiced fierce criticism of the recent TikTok ban, claiming the new Trump administration's approach is "fascist" according to The Daily Mail.
The controversy began when TikTok, the popular video-sharing app, was abruptly banned across the United States last Saturday evening, surprising users with its early enforcement. According to a Supreme Court ruling, the ban was legally sanctioned, leading to an immediate blackout of the service for American users.
"A law banning the popular video-sharing app has now been enacted in the US. Unfortunately, that means you can't use TikTok for now," a notification informed TikTok's substantial user base.
However, in a swift turnaround, TikTok issued a statement thanking Donald Trump for his intervention, which it saw as a move to bring clarity and assurance to service providers. The company expressed optimism about a potential solution, which was hinted at by Trump himself.
"We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned," the company communicated to its users.
Ocasio-Cortez, engaging with her followers on Instagram, criticized the ban's justification. She claimed that the evidence presented to Congress to support the TikTok ban did not convincingly link the app to national security threats.
"I can tell you that what was presented to all of the members voting on this thing was not very compelling," she argued, challenging the sufficiency of the information shared with lawmakers.
Further explaining her stance, Ocasio-Cortez commented on the vagueness and the unconvincing nature of the supposed threats posed by TikTok. "There was no real information that was given that was a smoking gun, that was anything specific... it was very vague, not convincing, and frankly, it was not convincing to many other members as well," she explained.
The Congresswoman asserted that rather than targeting individual apps, the United States should focus on comprehensive data privacy legislation.
"The answer is not just playing endless wack-a-mole with apps, the answer is that we should have real privacy legislation in the United States," she advocated, pointing towards a more systemic approach to privacy concerns.
Additionally, TikTok viewed Trump’s intervention as a supportive gesture towards free speech and small businesses, emphasizing the constitutional implications of the ban.
"‘It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States,’" TikTok’s statement asserted, portraying the ban as a setback for expressive freedoms.
Ocasio-Cortez drew comparisons between the Republican party's tactics and those employed in Viktor Orbán's Hungary, expressing concerns about the influence of right-wing strategies on U.S. social media platforms.
She depicted these moves as part of a broader authoritarian trend, signaling dangerous shifts in governance and public communication channels.
In her discussions, Ocasio-Cortez also hinted at her future political ambitions, suggesting she might consider a presidential run in 2028. This statement underscores her commitment to influencing U.S. political landscapes well into the future.
As Trump prepares to take office, the dialogue surrounding the TikTok ban and its implications for U.S. governance remains heated.
Ocasio-Cortez's remarks frame the incoming administration's policies as a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over freedom, privacy, and authoritarianism in America. "Well, we are on the eve of an authoritarian administration," she said, underscoring her perspective on what lies ahead under Trump's rule.