Special Poll
On the evening before the inauguration of former President Donald Trump, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shared her concerns with her followers, describing the current political climate as akin to “21st century fascism.” Ocasio-Cortez expressed these views during a time marked by the temporary nationwide ban and subsequent restoration of the TikTok app, emphasizing the broader implications she perceives behind these actions.
The congresswoman discussed these events via her Instagram story, pointing out the swift changes surrounding the social media landscape, particularly focusing on TikTok, which had experienced a significant service interruption. Just before it was reinstated, the app itself communicated to its users about an imminent law that would temporarily halt its operations in the U.S. Fortunately, the app relayed a hopeful message that President Trump was seeking a resolution that might allow TikTok to continue its services.
During her updates, Ocasio-Cortez criticized the lack of substantial evidence that led to the TikTok ban, which she had previously opposed in Congress. She argued that the decision was not based on clear security risks and suggested that such unilateral app bans do not solve the underlying issues of data privacy affecting all social media platforms.
As the app returned online, TikTok issued a statement thanking President Trump for his intervention, which they said provided “necessary clarity and assurance” for service providers, thus preventing penalties and allowing continued access to the app for millions of Americans.
Ocasio-Cortez used this moment to underscore her views on the broader implications of media control and privacy issues in America. She highlighted the importance of understanding these developments through a critical lens, suggesting that such maneuvers could be indicative of a larger strategy by some to model governance on certain authoritarian frameworks, such as those seen in other parts of the world.
In her remarks, the congresswoman invited her followers to reflect on these issues critically, to remain informed, and to consider the broader implications of governmental control over media and technology.