With reports that Senator Mark Warren’s Restrict legislation will ban TikTok, we discovered that indeed, the legislation will grant to the federal bureaucracy the power to do such a thing.
It is not specifically ordered by the legislation, instead the congress would be granting new, sweeping powers to the Washington DC bureaucracies to impose fines of up to one million dollars to people who go to an internet site, whether they knew so or not, that was deemed by bureaucrats to be a national security threat.
So whether it is Google, Apple or whatever is the equivalent of Microsoft in Uzbekistan, it is in the hands of NOT congress, but the Executive Branch, according to the Restrict Act. To be fair though, the legislation names China, Cuba, Russia, Iran, Venezuela, and North Korea. It does not name Uzbekistan or the State of Alabama. But those are called the initial list, suggestions. (read the article)
What is TikTok
Without naming China, ChatGPT says this:
TikTok is a social media app that allows users to create and share short videos with others. The app is known for its user-friendly interface and unique features that allow users to add music, filters, and special effects to their videos. TikTok has gained widespread popularity, particularly among younger generations, with its engaging and often humorous content. The app has been downloaded over 2 billion times worldwide and is available in over 150 markets and 75 languages.
What is a VPN
In this context, we are talking about a program that you install on your personal computer, phone or tablet that disguises all data from said device from Comcast, Verizon or AT&T, or whoever or whatever is acting as your ISP.
This tool that provides a secure and private connection between a device and the internet. When you use a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel to a remote server operated by the VPN provider. This masks your IP address and encrypts your online activity, making it more difficult for third parties to monitor your online activities, such as your internet service provider, hackers, or government agencies.
VPN services are commonly used for privacy and security reasons, as they can help protect your personal information and online identity. They can also be used to bypass geographic restrictions, allowing you to access content that may be blocked in your region.
Does a VPN work?
In the case of your cell phone, internet traffic to Apple and Google will be transmitted over this same tunnel. So, to a certain degree, even with a VPN, it is known that you, Josephine X. Smith are using a given internet protocol address. However, it is probably hidden that you visited TikTok.
Leave a Reply