Some TikTok users 'can't believe' they're praising Rand Paul after he blocked ban of app
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Sen. Rand Paul is making plenty of fans on TikTok these days.
Earlier this week Paul blocked the "No TikTok on United States Devices Act," an effort by Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, a fellow Republican, to fast-track a proposed national ban on the social media app over concerns that TikTok's parent company will give American users' data to the Chinese government. The app is owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, which has said it protects users by storing their personal data outside China despite bipartisan criticism from U.S. officials.
In his opposition, Paul has said he believes a ban would be a violation of First Amendment rights, adding that it wouldn't necessarily protect the users' information because U.S.-based tech companies have failed to secure data before.
“This legislation not only violates the First Amendment of those who own TikTok, many of whom are actually Americans, not Chinese, but it also violates the First Amendment rights of the millions of young Americans who use this social media app," he said.
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“Every accusation of data gathering that’s been attributed to TikTok could also be attributed to domestic big tech companies,” he added.
Paul is a divisive figure in American politics and can be a lightning rod for criticism online. But his efforts to stop TikTok from being banned have drawn praise (even if it's reluctant) from many app users. One user joked they "can't believe" they support the senator, though another noted his support for keeping TikTok available in the U.S. does not excuse actions like voting against advancing protections for same-sex marriage in 2022.
Either way, his recent stand in favor of TikTok has drawn plenty of notable reactions on the app.
@natiffan While this doesnt excuse what his party is doing to Americans i greatly appreciate Senator Rand Pauls standing up for the will of over 44% of Americans. Our boice was heard by this senator! #senate #freetiktok #government #randpaul #freespeech #thematrix ♬ original sound - Natiffan
@doctor_jason Shame on Sen Hawley! #handsoffmyapps #protecttiktok #savetiktok #digitalfreedom #freespeech #stoprestrictact #protectourrights #dontbantiktok #tiktok ♬ original sound - Dr. J
@mirtarz Yes, gotta thank Rand Paul!🎤👏🏼#freedomofspeech #1stamendment #viral #tiktok #fyp ##restrictban #randpaul #freedominamerica #thankyou #repost ♬ original sound - Mirta R.
@pearlmania500 Its gotten so bad I’ve found Rand Paul to be the voice of reason in the senate. #pearlmania500 #keeptiktok #congress #senate #restrictact #joshhawley #randpaul #vote #itsgettingworse ♬ original sound - Alex Pearlman
@pmatzko AOC and Rand Paul agree on something for once: don’t ban TikTok! #tiktokban #tiktokhearing @aocinthehouse #RandPaul #libertarian #socialist ♬ original sound - Matzko Minute
@good_lord_gatsby Here’s the recap of one man standing against the entire senate to try and protect our freedoms. You may not like Rand Paul but he seems to be the only one with a little sense currently. #tiktokban #senrandpaul #senjoshhawley #hereswhatyoumissed ♬ original sound - Gatsby
@blondiebutgoodie #CapCut he the only senator to say no so it won't pass! #tiktokban #randpaul #keeptiktok ♬ original sound - Tiffany bialas
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Reporter Ken Tran from USA TODAY and Shannon Hall contributed. Reach Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez at abrinez@gannett.com; follow her on Twitter at @SoyAnaAlvarez.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Rand Paul draws praise (some reluctant) after blocking TikTok ban
