The best solution to TikTok would seem to be for the responsible parties, such as Google and Apple, to add a warning message to apps believed to be controlled by governments. The same way Google already does with YouTube channels.

And for journalists and the government to investigate suspected ties and announce their findings loudly, so that people can make an informed choice.

But actually banning the app, even though it would be a good thing for users, seems like a fraught choice for a free country.