> My understanding is that Chinese bans on US technology have reasons clearly codified in law and would not be banned if they followed the regulations.

My understanding is that Chinese law is usually pretty vague and unclear, especially in areas like this, and in any case doesn't actually bind the government.

Yeah, my understanding is a lot of Chinese laws are vague on purpose so that they can be interpreted to benefit companies the state likes, while punishing those the state does not like

“For my friends, everything; for my enemies, the law.” - General Óscar Benavides

Sounds like America. Didn’t we just ban Juuls while countless other electronic fruity vapes are on the market?

Didn't a judge just stop the ban?

This is a good point.

I would much rather we codify data protections, and then ban TikTok (and domestic) apps that do not comply.

I think you're right. I'd love to see a BRICS-oriented data protection law for the US, for example.

That's what the EU is doing and it's a great approach.

The regulations include being completely subservient to the state.

The US could make something similar to eliminate Chinese companies in terms of democracy vs dictatorship: pass a law saying that social media websites can only operate if their employees have the right to vote in their own countries.

Then TikTok would be banned because it does not (/could not) follow the law.