THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON NATIONAL SECURITY AND POLITICS: THE TIKTOK CASE

EJSER 13th INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON SOCIAL SCIENCES, Bern, İsviçre, 24 Mayıs 2024, ss.302-312, (Tam Metin Bildiri)

Social media exerts a vast influence across various domains, from economic to political

spheres, and brings to the forefront issues such as misinformation, data privacy, and national

security. This research delves into the implications of the U.S. House of Representatives' directive

for the Chinese company ByteDance to divest TikTok, scrutinizing its impact on national security

protocols. It further explores the compliance of social media platforms with domestic legislation

and the positioning of tech companies within global competitive frameworks. In today's digital

era, platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube significantly shape communication, access to

information, and societal movements, notably influencing major events such as the Arab Spring.

The core issue investigated in this study pertains to the repercussions of social media on national

security and the privacy challenges posed by these platforms. The research seeks to dissect the

recent developments concerning TikTok in the U.S. and assess how regulations affecting social

media bear on international relations and national security strategies. This study reviews the

discussions and decisions of the U.S. House of Representatives regarding the TikTok legislation

and juxtaposes these with similar social media policies in other nations. The methodologies

employed include a thorough review of the literature and an analysis of official governmental

reports. The mandate from the U.S. House for TikTok's sale within 165 days stems from concerns

over the security of user data within the U.S., aiming to prevent the app's continued Chinese

ownership and potential ban in the U.S. Concurrently, similar security assessments are underway

in nations like India, Indonesia, the UK, and Australia.

The influence of social media platforms on national security frameworks must be evaluated

within the dual contexts of adherence to domestic laws and the dynamics of international

competition. Platforms such as TikTok, in particular, have emerged as pivotal in the geopolitic al

rivalry between the U.S. and China, securing a significant foothold in the global social media

environment. This research unveils the extent to which technology firms align with both national

and international regulations and the ramifications of these alignments on national security.