The Justice Department has raised concerns that allowing TikTok to continue operating under its current parent company could result in covert Chinese government influence on US elections. Prosecutors are worried that TikTok’s algorithm could be used to manipulate Americans’ views and political discourse to further Chinese interests, posing a threat to national security. The federal government responded to a lawsuit brought by TikTok against the US government, which aims to block a law requiring the app to find a new owner by mid-January 2025 or face a nationwide ban.
TikTok and Bytedance claim that the law infringes on free speech rights and prevents Americans from accessing lawful information, arguing that it is unconstitutional. The lawsuit stems from years of US allegations about TikTok’s ties to China potentially exposing personal information to the Chinese government. The Justice Department contends that TikTok is misapplying the First Amendment, stating that the law targets national security concerns related to TikTok’s connection to China and not restricting speech. Officials expressed concerns about China’s efforts to weaponize technology, including apps and software used in the US, and the risk of sensitive data being turned over to the Chinese government.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco has warned against using TikTok due to its data collection practices and data-sharing requirements imposed by Chinese national security laws. The Justice Department’s filing highlights TikTok’s data collection practices, which include gathering sensitive information from its 170 million US users, including precise locations, viewing habits, private messages, and phone contacts. Prosecutors raised concerns about the app’s potential to be directed by the Chinese government and covertly control the algorithm to shape content for American users. Law enforcement officials are aware of tools in China that could suppress content on TikTok, sparking worries about data collection, censorship, and content promotion for American users.
The filing by the Justice Department indicates that TikTok poses significant security risks due to its data collection practices and potential influence by the Chinese government. The lawsuit between TikTok and the US government involves constitutional arguments about free speech rights and national security concerns. Senior officials believe that TikTok’s algorithm could be manipulated by the Chinese government to influence American users, raising fears about data privacy and information control. The legal battle could determine whether US security concerns outweigh First Amendment rights in the case of TikTok’s ties to China and the potential threats to national security.
