>

I cannot understand how US can't make a decision over banning tiktok.
My country got rid of it long ago. 
Then this current chinese loan apps, they have been extorting money from customers by using threats and various tactics. Few people even committed suicide. 
Thankfully people were made aware about tiktok, such loan & betting apps. There was criticism from few as they depended on Tiktok as a source of primary income. Yes you heard it right !! The addiction was gone out of control. Same could be said for mobile game named PUBG, even kids commited suicide after not getting phones from their parents for sole reason of playing that game.
The Chinese way, they did that in China a lot as well. Even giving loans to students and as security deposit they had to send their nudes. >

This was/is legal? >

Well thank goodness for that. I can only find one article about a loan shark being arrested for that but it's from China Daily.
Edit: punctuation >

One of many, unfortunately. >

My favorite thing in the last few days has been my fellow Americans screaming about a "chinese spy balloon"... on tiktok, a chinese spy app.