Twitter Thread Explains Why the TikTok Ban Is Worse Than the Patriot Act

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 03/30/2023 in facepalm

Ever since TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew appeared before congress for an embarrassing hearing regarding his company’s treatment of its user’s data, people can’t stop talking about the app’s potential ban. Now, congress has a bipartisan bill in place to do just that; but it’s not what it sounds like.

Titled the RESTRICT Act, the new bill would potentially outlaw TikTok along with any technology associated with enemies of the state. Called “a systematic framework for addressing technology-based threats to the security and safety of Americans” by the White House, the bill is anything but. In reality, it demonstrates a blatant attempt to censor and restrict basic online freedoms of American people. Learn from these Twitter threads about why people are saying the RESTRICT Act, and its sister bill the DATA Act, are even worse than the infamous Patriot Act.

Well, the mask is off, if it was ever really on. As I predicted, the TikTok ban has evolved into blatant censorship of the internet. Let's talk about it. Big rant incoming, but if you enjoy continuing to have even some semblance of personal freedom, you're gonna wanna listen
— Empress Alvara Nova (Debut TBA) (@EmpressAlvara) March 28, 2023

ITS NOT A BAN ON TIKTOK! ITS CALLED THE RESTRICT ACT BECAUSE ITS GOING TO DO JUST THAT! THEY CAN ACCESS ANYTHING WITHIN YOUR HOME THAT IS CONNECTED TO INTERNET WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT. THEY CAN FINE AND CHARGE YOU FOR USING VPNS. THEY ARE TARGETING YOU!! NOT BIG TECH!
— niccoya is writing to her crongressman + senator!! (@niccoyat) March 29, 2023

The aptly titled RESTRICT Act, allows the government to access any and all of your data through home wifi networks, cellular data networks, and more. The TikToker chiefgyk3d reviews all the ways you could be monitored.

@chiefgyk3d this is way worse than I thought #gaming #savetiktok #tiktokban #restrictact #tech #techeducation ♬ original sound - /home/chiefgyk3d

The use of VPNs would also be illegal, both to access banned content and misdirect surveillance. The punishments would be a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and between $250,000 and $1 million in fines.

This bill will make the use of VPNs to bypass bans on apps/content such as TikTok a criminal act, punishable by minimum imprisonment of 20 years and a minimum fine of $250,000 or $1,000,000 depending on if you knowingly did so for the explicit purpose of accessing banned content
— Empress Alvara Nova (Debut TBA) (@EmpressAlvara) March 28, 2023

The concept of ‘foreign adversaries’ is central to this bill, and they are currently listed as China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela. However, that list is subject to change at any time without warning, something that could have devastating personal consequences considering the aforementioned legal repercussions.

Note that, while a summative list of "foreign adversaries" is given in the bill, it is subject to change at any time without warning.
— Empress Alvara Nova (Debut TBA) (@EmpressAlvara) March 28, 2023

This monumental authority will be given to an independent group under the control of a new Secretary of Communications, who can make unchecked decisions behind closed doors.

The method by which this will be done is by the President appointing a Secretary of Communication, who forms their own independent group without any votes or democratic selection, and that group can then make decisions behind closed doors without disclosing anything whatsoever
— Empress Alvara Nova (Debut TBA) (@EmpressAlvara) March 28, 2023

Decisions banning whatever they deem to be inappropriate or threatening content, or otherwise deemed a threat to national security. At any time. Without disclosure or voter input. And remember, accessing said content would be a crime under this bill.
— Empress Alvara Nova (Debut TBA) (@EmpressAlvara) March 28, 2023

It is terrifyingly ironic that a bill designed to protect American data from foreign adversaries does more than any of those adversaries to violate the privacy and security of the American people. “So they’re freaking out about TikTok because we could be spied on,” says one TikTok commenter, “but they are giving themselves the power to spy on us, got it.”

Fortunately, the bill has not been voted on yet, and the TikToker Sayheyjames describes how you can help stop it.

@sayheyjames Here’s what you can do to help stop the ban on TikTok in the United States. This is a step-by-step on how to contact your US senators and congressmen, and what to say to them. #tiktokban #congress #unitedstates ##politics ♬ original sound - Sayheyjames