Drink Your Coffee Lose Your TikTok

Spies, Lies and Cybercrime by Eric O’Neill

 Weekly Story: My Caffeine Addiction

I became addicted to coffee during my time as an undercover operative for the FBI. When you’re required to sit motionless for hours at a time, watching a front door or the taillights of a car, often from a distance, you need something to keep your mind sharp. You can’t afford to let it drift, daydream, or—heaven forbid—fall asleep. A momentary lapse in concentration could mean a blown operation: the spy escapes with stolen secrets, or worse, the terrorist executes their plan.

So, coffee became my weapon of choice. But, as with any crutch, it came with a cost. Drinking multiple cups of coffee a day—sometimes a dozen—makes it difficult to stay in one place for hours when nature keeps calling. And, of course, caffeine is one of the most addictive substances on earth.

Leaving the FBI for one of the world’s largest law firms didn’t help matters; it only fueled my caffeine addiction. I managed to quit coffee once—briefly—but when I began writing my first book while juggling life as an entrepreneur, attorney, husband, father, and spy hunter, the habit came roaring back. By the time Gray Day hit the shelves, I could clean out a pot of coffee in an hour and had memorized the menus at three different coffee shops within walking distance.

Then, this past August, after some major career changes, I decided to prioritize my health. I quit coffee for good. It wasn’t easy. I started by cutting back on the number of cups, switched to half-caf, and finally moved to decaf. The headaches, flu-like symptoms, and general irritability were a nightmare, but eventually, the addiction lost its grip. Now, I feel better, sleep better, and no longer crash mid-afternoon. To prove to myself that I’m truly free from the addiction (and to savor the joy of a hot cup), I allow myself one cup every Saturday morning. And every Saturday, I wake up smiling.

Addiction comes in many forms. Some people gamble away their savings; others can’t tear themselves away from pornography or OnlyFans. Alcohol and drugs have ruined countless lives. But there’s another, more insidious addiction that’s taken root in recent years: the mindless scrolling of apps like TikTok. It’s a behavior psychologists call “bed rotting” and others have dubbed “doom scrolling.” And make no mistake, it’s every bit as addictive as caffeine—or worse.

Here’s the thing about TikTok: it’s not just another social media app. It’s been scientifically engineered to hold your attention for as long as possible. Its algorithm is designed to learn your habits and preferences with uncanny precision, serving up an endless stream of dopamine hits disguised as 15-second videos. Those “For You” pages? They’re digital crack. TikTok knows what makes you laugh, cry, and cringe, and it’s not afraid to exploit it.

The app’s scroll-and-reward mechanism mirrors the slot machines you’d find in a Vegas casino. Each video is a gamble: will it be entertaining, shocking, heartwarming? The uncertainty keeps users glued to their screens, chasing the next viral clip. Add in features like auto-play, infinite scrolling, and seamless transitions between content, and you’ve got a recipe for hours of lost time and productivity. People wake up to check one or two videos and suddenly find themselves an hour late for work.

Like coffee or cocaine, the allure of TikTok comes with consequences. Relationships suffer. Productivity tanks. And for children and teens—the app’s biggest demographic—the addiction can disrupt sleep, self-esteem, and mental health. It’s a digital black hole, and falling into it is easier than anyone would like to admit.

The Case Against TikTok

TikTok’s days in the U.S. might be numbered, as the Supreme Court just upheld a federal law banning the app unless it severs ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. The bipartisan law, passed in April, comes amid deep concerns over data privacy and national security risks tied to TikTok’s connection to China.

The Backstory

TikTok has been a political hot potato for years, accused of everything from hoarding user data for Beijing to hosting shady propaganda. Despite its denial of links to the Chinese government, investigative reports have unearthed plenty of red flags, including spying on journalists, mishandling sensitive data, and promoting pro-China narratives. Lawmakers finally said, “Enough is enough,” and cooked up legislation to force ByteDance to divest—or face an outright ban.

Supreme Court Drama

Last week, justices heard TikTok’s last-ditch appeal, where the company argued the ban violated its First Amendment rights. The Court wasn’t buying it, ruling that the law doesn’t target specific speech or content but is narrowly focused on preventing a “foreign adversary” from exploiting the app’s vast treasure trove of user data. Ouch.

The justices acknowledged TikTok’s cultural impact (170 million U.S. users is no small feat) but concluded national security trumps viral dances and cat videos. Their take? A ban is only in place unless TikTok untangles itself from ByteDance. Fair warning: ByteDance has repeatedly claimed divestiture is “impossible.”

The Fallout

Here’s what’s on the table if ByteDance doesn’t play ball:

On Sunday, January 19, TikTok disappeared from U.S. app stores thanks to penalties targeting Apple, Google, and even internet service providers hosting the app. After a few hours, and a public announcement by incoming President Donald Trump, TikTok unbanned itself. Trump had stated that he would not impose penalties companies that host TikTok and would sign an executive order on his inaguration day (Monday, January 20) to extend the grace period for TikTok to find a new owner.

Within hours, TikTok users were thrown on a seesaw that went from this:

To this in a matter of hours:

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday (January 20) to extend TikTok's operation for 90 days, offering its users temporary relief as national security concerns remain. “I guess I have a warm spot for TikTok,” Trump said, crediting the platform for aiding his 2024 election victory.

While Trump’s legal authority to override the law upheld by the Supreme Court remains unclear. Trump also suggested the U.S. should own half of TikTok, which he estimated to be worth $1 trillion.

A Shaky Future

And speaking of buyers—rumors are flying. Elon Musk’s name has even popped up as a potential savior for TikTok (because apparently buying one controversial platform wasn’t enough). Other bidders include Project Liberty and Kevin O’Leary’s crew, though ByteDance is reportedly holding out for a $40-$50 billion price tag.

Putting on my national security strategist hat, I suspect that ByteDance’s refusal to divest TikTok is threefold:

• Espionage Operation: I believe TikTok is a highly orchestrated espionage operation that has successfully infiltrated Western culture. For China, TikTok isn’t just a cash cow—it’s an information collection machine. User data fuels intelligence and gives China a strategic advantage, one they won’t relinquish easily.

• Protecting the Algorithm: TikTok’s algorithm isn’t just addictive—it’s a masterpiece of behavioral engineering. If U.S. researchers were allowed to deconstruct it fully, I suspect we’d uncover how this algorithm functions as a component of China’s larger espionage strategy. This insight could prove invaluable in understanding how TikTok was designed to influence users and harvest information.

• Global Influence: Finally, ByteDance’s hesitation may stem from China’s interest in maintaining a foothold in Western social and cultural trends. TikTok isn’t just another app; it’s a tool for shaping discourse, influencing public perception, and embedding foreign narratives into the cultural fabric of democratic nations.

Why I Think TikTok Should Stay Banned

TikTok is undeniably entertaining—an endless stream of dance routines, viral trends, and comedy skits. But behind the fun lies a much darker reality, one that affects the mental health of teens, spreads misinformation, promotes harmful behavior, and, most concerning of all, poses a grave threat to national security.

Let’s break it down.

1. A National Security Nightmare

TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is headquartered in China and is subject to Chinese laws that require companies to share data with the government upon request. This means that TikTok’s vast troves of user data—location, search history, facial recognition, and even keystroke patterns—could potentially be accessed by a foreign government with a track record of exploiting information for geopolitical leverage.

In a 2023 report by the House Select Committee on China, lawmakers outlined how ByteDance could be compelled to share U.S. user data with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Even though TikTok claims it has taken steps to store American data on U.S. servers, whistleblowers have contradicted this, alleging that engineers in China could still access sensitive information.

The problem doesn’t stop at data. TikTok’s algorithm has the potential to influence public opinion, subtly shaping what users see based on political objectives. During testimony before Congress in 2022, cybersecurity expert Tristan Harris described TikTok as a “weaponized platform” that could be used to disseminate propaganda or deepen social divisions. This isn’t hypothetical. Reports have already found pro-China messaging being subtly introduced on the app while content critical of China is suppressed.

2. Harmful to Teens’ Mental Health

TikTok has become the go-to app for teens, but its effects on their mental health are alarming. A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that excessive TikTok use was linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances among adolescents. The app’s design keeps users hooked, with an algorithm so powerful that it’s been compared to a slot machine—it constantly offers the possibility of new, exciting content, keeping users endlessly scrolling.

But the content isn’t always harmless. One disturbing trend is how TikTok promotes harmful challenges. Take the “Skull Breaker Challenge,” where two friends trick a third into jumping in the air, only to kick their legs out from under them. The victim lands hard, often on their back or head. Multiple children have suffered concussions, fractures, and even paralysis from this “game.”

These challenges thrive because TikTok rewards extreme, shocking, or outrageous content with likes, views, and the possibility of going viral. That incentive structure puts young users at serious risk.

3. The Algorithm’s Hidden Costs

TikTok’s algorithm doesn’t just deliver content—it actively decides what content to show based on its ability to capture and hold attention. For teens, that often means a flood of videos that reinforce insecurities and unhealthy behaviors.

A Wall Street Journal investigation created bot accounts posing as 13-year-olds to explore what TikTok would serve them. Within minutes, the accounts were flooded with videos promoting eating disorders, self-harm, and sexualized content. The algorithm prioritized these themes based on the bots’ brief interactions, illustrating how quickly young users can be exposed to damaging material.

Psychologists have coined the term “doom scrolling” and “bed rotting” to describe this behavior: endless consumption of negative or harmful content, often leading to feelings of hopelessness and anxiety. TikTok has mastered the art of doom scrolling, trapping users in a cycle that’s difficult to break.

4. Misinformation at Scale

TikTok is also a powerful engine for misinformation. Studies by the nonprofits and researchers found that TikTok spreads false information at an alarming rate. During the 2022 U.S. midterm elections, for instance, TikTok was inundated with fake news about voting procedures and conspiracy theories, much of which went viral. Unlike other platforms, TikTok does little to filter or flag misinformation, allowing false narratives to proliferate unchecked.

When you combine these issues—national security risks, harmful impacts on teens, dangerous viral challenges, and unchecked misinformation—it’s clear TikTok is more than just a harmless distraction. It’s a platform that prioritizes profit and engagement at the expense of users’ well-being and our collective safety.

That’s why I support keeping TikTok banned in the U.S. The risks far outweigh the rewards, and allowing it to continue operating unchecked sends a dangerous message. In my house, TikTok is forbidden—not because I want to shelter my kids, but because I want to protect them.

It’s a conversation every family should have, and a decision our nation must face with facts, not trends.

Do you agree with the ban, or are you worried about losing your access to TikTok? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Until then, on to the news!

News Roundup

AI Takes the Stand

Christopher Brock made headlines as the first person to win a court case using ChatGPT as his legal assistant. What started as a zoning dispute over a backyard shed turned into a year-long legal battle, with ChatGPT drafting motions and filings that ultimately led to the case’s dismissal.

This story isn’t just a quirky headline—it’s a glimpse into how AI can empower individuals to challenge systems traditionally dominated by experts. Much like TikTok’s algorithm influences behavior in subtle but powerful ways, AI in the courtroom highlights how technology is reshaping our lives—sometimes for the better, sometimes in ways we’re still trying to understand.

As we discuss TikTok’s risks in this issue, it’s worth asking: where do we draw the line with AI’s role in our daily lives? From influencing culture to navigating the justice system, AI is everywhere—and it’s only getting smarter.

The Future of Work: AI’s Role in Shaping the Job Market

Following the story of AI winning a court case, let’s look at a broader picture: the future of work. AI and automation are projected to displace 92 million jobs globally by 2030 but will also create 78 million new roles, according to the World Economic Forum. Professions reliant on repetitive tasks, such as administrative assistants, cashiers, and data entry clerks, are shrinking, while demand for roles like AI specialists, renewable energy engineers, and cybersecurity experts is soaring.

As AI reshapes the workforce, adaptability becomes critical. Just as Christopher Brock used AI to navigate the legal system, workers must learn to collaborate with technology rather than fear it. Human-centric skills—like empathy, creativity, and critical thinking—are irreplaceable by machines and will remain essential in this evolving landscape. The future workforce isn’t about man versus machine; it’s about man and machine working hand in hand to redefine what’s possible. Are we ready?

China’s Cyber Espionage: A Growing Threat

Chinese hackers are ramping up cyberattacks, with reports linking the group Salt Typhoon to breaches of U.S. telecommunications networks. These intrusions have exposed sensitive communications, including call logs and unencrypted texts, from high-profile targets like President-elect Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance. The breaches highlight the ongoing national security challenges posed by China’s aggressive cyber operations.

In response, the U.S. has sanctioned Sichuan Juxinhe Network Technology Co., a Chinese firm tied to these hacks, aiming to disrupt its operations and freeze U.S.-based assets. Outgoing U.S. Cyber Ambassador Nathaniel Fick warns that disengagement from global tech leadership could allow adversaries like China to dominate, compromising both security and technological standards. The need for robust defenses has never been clearer.

AI Deepfakes: A Looming $40 Billion Threat

Artificial intelligence has ushered in remarkable advancements, but it also brings new challenges. A recent report by BlackBerry highlights a concerning rise in deepfake scams—AI-generated images, videos, or voices crafted to deceive individuals and organizations. These sophisticated forgeries are projected to cause financial losses amounting to $40 billion by 2027.

The finance sector is particularly vulnerable, accounting for 45% of nearly 600,000 critical infrastructure attacks recorded between July and September 2024. Healthcare organizations and government services are also at significant risk. The proliferation of deepfakes erodes trust, making it imperative for industries to adopt robust verification processes and for policymakers to establish comprehensive regulatory frameworks to combat this escalating threat.

Questions from the Readers

I love questions. That’s why whenever I’m on a stage, I always invite questions from the audience after my keynote. And I love questions from my readers. Remember, you can always comment to one of these newsletters and I will happily respond.

These come from greenbirds.

Great question! I created a cybersecurity assessment that provides a handy checklist to examine your cybersecurity and see where you might need a little improvement.

You can click on this link to be taken directly to the resource on my website. If you have already subscribed to the newsletter, use the same email. If you haven’t subscribed yet, here is your chance to get some free giveaways!

I built my own home security system, but if you are not as technically inclined, this list by Security.org is very good (and is not the result of advertisers “encouraging” them to write a list. My friend, colleague and white hat hacker David Balcar gives the best advice for whatever security system you purchase, create or install:

“Don’t advertise the system you use. If you have a sign in your yard that states you use ADT, Ring or Brinks, that simply tells me what tactics I need to use to breach you. Make it hard for the attacker.”

This is great advice for any security system, whether physical or cyber. And no, I’m not saying which components I use to make my own :)

What do YOU want to learn about in my next newsletter? Reply to this email or comment on the web version, and I’ll include your question in next month’s issue!

Thank you for subscribing to Spies, Lies and Cybercrime. Please comment and share the newsletter. I look forward to helping you stay safe in the digital world.

Best,
Eric

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