TikTok is Being Banned In The US Because Of Espionage And Censorship
Alison Harvard
15 Dec 2022
epublican Senator Marco Rubio and his Democratic counterpart, Raja Krishnamoorthi, have announced bipartisan legislation to ban the popular social media app TikTok amid US fears that it could be used for spying on Americans and censoring content. The bill would block all transactions from any social media company in or under the influence of China and Russia. The move has been met with criticism from TikTok, which has said that such a ban is politically motivated and would do nothing to advance the national security of the United States.
The bill, which was sponsored by Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher and Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi, is being pushed as a measure to protect the privacy of American citizens. It would prohibit the download, distribution, and use of any social media app owned, operated, or substantially influenced by the Chinese Government. It would also prohibit any transaction between the US and China-controlled social media companies, including TikTok. The bill would also prohibit US companies from providing data or personal information to such companies.
The company has asserted that it is taking steps to address national security concerns, including the implementation of a "transparent data security framework" and the appointment of a US-based Chief Security Officer. It has also said that it is committed to protecting the privacy of its users and that it has not shared data with the Chinese Government.
The lawmakers have also noted that the legislation is intended to address the growing threat of China-controlled social media companies to the US economy. They have argued that such companies are able to gain access to American consumers and their data and are able to use this information to manipulate US markets. The legislation is also intended to protect US technology from being acquired by Chinese companies, which could lead to the loss of US jobs.