On Wednesday, senators from both political parties raised alarms about TikTok, highlighting the potential dangers it poses to millions of American users. They are currently deliberating on ways to safeguard U.S. national security, amidst increasing worries that the Chinese-owned social media platform might serve as a propaganda tool, potentially influencing the upcoming U.S. elections.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, expressed his concerns vividly after a classified briefing in the Capitol. He likened TikTok to a “gun aimed at Americans’ heads,” emphasizing the threat posed by the Chinese government’s use of the platform to collect data from 170 million Americans. He warned that this information could be manipulated to undermine the core values of American democracy.
Following the House’s decisive move to pass bipartisan legislation that could lead to a ban on TikTok unless its Chinese owners divest their stakes, senior officials from the FBI, Justice Department, and the Office of the Director of Intelligence briefed Senate Intelligence and Commerce committees. This briefing underscored the urgency of addressing the national security risks associated with TikTok.
Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, described TikTok as a severe national security threat. He highlighted concerns over privacy, data security, and the potential for Chinese Communist propaganda. Despite efforts by TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, to obscure their activities, the risks are evident in the platform’s terms and conditions and its influence on American politics.
The urgency for action was further emphasized by senators calling for the declassification of relevant intelligence. Senator Blumenthal argued that the American public deserves to know the extent of the threat, advocating for transparency since the information does not compromise sources or methods.
Despite the urgency, Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, a Democrat from Washington State, did not commit to a specific timeline for advancing legislation. However, she acknowledged the importance of addressing this issue in the information age.
Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican, pressed for swift action on the House bill, highlighting the stark contrast between the content promoted by TikTok in China and the U.S. He pointed out the worrying trend of harmful content being pushed to American children, contrasting it with the educational content available to Chinese users.
As momentum builds in the Senate to refine the House-passed bill, a full-scale lobbying effort is underway. Senators are advocating for legislation that would force ByteDance to sell TikTok to a company not influenced by the Chinese Communist Party. Senator Cotton emphasized the need for prompt action, while Senator Marco Rubio stressed that the buyer should not be subject to China’s national security laws.
Despite concerns from some government officials about the potential for user data to be accessed by the Chinese government and the app’s use for misinformation, cybersecurity experts have found little evidence to support these claims. TikTok has denied any security or privacy risks, asserting that measures are in place to prevent such issues.
Senator Mike Rounds, a Republican from South Dakota, noted that immediate action is unlikely, especially with the congressional recess approaching. Congress is expected to return from a two-week spring break on April 8.
This report includes contributions from ABC News’ Max Zahn.