By: Drew Mandeville 

     The internet has been heavily impactful since its creation. It has expanded the ability of research and taken entertainment to new heights. Companies like Apple and Google have taken a hold of a profitable market by being the providers of apps that entertain and inform.  

     One such app is TikTok, which has been the center of drama following its banning and swift unbanning. Many American government officials held concerns over the influence of the Chinese parent company, ByteDance, because it is hard to regulate. Allegations of the company stealing data were the center of controversy since the app’s rise. The platform, TikTok, has been widely used as a place to access everything from recipes, and dance trends, to news and other topics of interest. 

    The ban sparked protest among users as they claimed a breach of their first amendment rights when they lost a platform that gave many voices on situations and controversies that happened globally, including issues regarding celebrity news, international conflict, or even something as simple as a new TV show or movie release. 

     TikTok is not the only digital platform undergoing major changes. Google has also been the center of controversy. In accordance with President Donald Trump’s comments and requests, the company’s digital calendar removed ethnic holidays, such as Black History Month, Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Juneteenth, and Holocaust Remembrance Day. The removals sparked controversy with the public as ethnic groups retaliated. The groups protested due to a feeling of exclusion that has spread following the removal, which were followed with President Trump’s actions to remove inclusivity by cutting diversity in government jobs.  

     England native and Eisenhower Social Studies teacher, Mr. Taylor, commented on the removal of ethnic holidays saying, “…we don’t give as much attention to the experience of African Americans as we should. Holocaust Remembrance Day is essential because people’s awareness and knowledge of this cataclysmic event is dwindling already. We have to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive in the hope that we don’t repeat it and especially given there has been an increase in antisemitism in the past few years, it is more important than ever.”  

     Google’s map has also followed suit with President Trump’s plans as they have renamed the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. The change is only viewable by American users but is still impactful as it has affected foreign affairs with Mexico as the country threatens to sue Google over the renaming. According to cnn.com, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo’s concerns pertain to the fact that Google renaming the gulf would affect the continental shelves of Mexico and Cuba since legally it isn’t in American jurisdiction. Taylor also highlighted his concerns about it, “Renaming a geographical feature which has had the same name for about 500 years…I think it’s supposed to inspire some sort of misplaced patriotism, but all it does is make America look petty and childish.” 

     With the ever-changing controversies and news, The Squire encourages its readers to look at both sides and new angles when formulating an opinion and experiencing these changes. We would like to thank Mr. Taylor for setting aside time to answer our questions and giving insight on the current situation.