Amazon Announces TikTok Ban And Then Reverses Decision
July 10 2020
The TikTok drama unfolding before the internet’s eyes takes yet another dramatic turn. Honestly, the screenplay here is getting crazier than if The Bachelor’s Chris Harrison himself wrote the script. Earlier this morning, Amazon sent an email to its employees banning TikTok from being used on company devices, citing security concerns.
A post from Yahoo Finance provides an excerpt of said corporate email:
“Due to security risks, the TikTok app is no longer permitted on mobile devices that access Amazon email. If you have TikTok on your device, you must remove it by Jul-10 to retain mobile access to Amazon email. At this time, using TikTok from your Amazon laptop browser is allowed."
Sourced from Daniel Roberts and Melody Hahm in Yahoo Finance | July 10, 2020
Background
Of course, on its own, a message like this is huge considering the popularity of the TikTok app. From outside perspective, a company-wide ban of such a platform feels major. However, the email follows recent privacy concerns surrounding TikTok, the United States government threatening to ban the app, and the Indian government actually banning the app. Given that context, the email isn’t only unsurprising–it feels like a potential first domino. With such a high profile organization planting its flag against the app, you could only imagine others would eventually follow.
Plot Twist
Fast forward a few hours, however, and Amazon announces the email a “mistake.” Personally, I don’t know if they mean the email itself was never supposed to go out to employees, if they mean the email was intentional but the decision was a mistake, or if they mean they’re bummed about the reaction surrounding the decision and wanted to reverse course. Regardless, Amazon’s stance as of this afternoon is that it hasn’t changed its stance on TikTok regarding its employees.
I know I’m looking forward to seeing where this story goes next, so I’ll keep my eyes peeled and will keep you posted. If you have updates for me or general opinions about the situation, let me know in the comments below.