Recently, a constituent emailed a US Senator expressing skepticism about Congress’ bill to require TikTok to cut ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. The Senator responded by pointing out that ByteDance is not a normal company and has clear ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The Chinese government can command ByteDance to turn over Americans’ data or modify TikTok’s algorithm. ByteDance is involved in spreading propaganda and strengthening China’s national security through its platforms and building artificial intelligence for the Chinese military. The company’s leaders are also members of the Chinese Communist Party and have close ties to the regime.
Moreover, ByteDance’s business partners are linked to human rights abuses and the Chinese military, with some even blacklisted by the US government. There is evidence that TikTok and ByteDance have spied on American journalists, stolen financial data, and interfered in US politics. Analysis shows that TikTok manipulates its algorithm to influence what users see, with significantly less pro-Israel and sensitive political content compared to other platforms like Instagram. The Chinese Communist Party has expressed intentions to use TikTok to control public opinion in the US.
The Senator argues that ByteDance should not be allowed to curate American video feeds, as it would potentially allow a hostile foreign power to control a significant portion of Americans’ news sources. He states that just as laws prohibit foreign control of television and radio stations, the same should apply to social media platforms like TikTok. The Senator urges for action to be taken to prevent ByteDance from continuing to influence American public opinion and potentially compromise national security.
The Senator’s response sheds light on the concerning connection between TikTok, ByteDance, and the Chinese Communist Party, highlighting the risks posed by allowing a company with ties to an adversarial regime to have control over a popular social media platform. He emphasizes the need to protect American data and ensure that foreign nations do not have the ability to manipulate public opinion through social media. The evidence presented points to a clear threat to national security and the integrity of American political discourse.
In conclusion, the Senator’s argument against TikTok’s ties to ByteDance and the Chinese Communist Party underscores the need for vigilance in protecting American interests and data from foreign influence. The evidence provided highlights the potential risks posed by allowing a company with clear connections to an authoritarian regime to control a popular social media platform. The Senator urges for action to ensure that ByteDance is not allowed to continue manipulating public opinion and compromising American national security. The issues raised regarding TikTok’s ownership and operations warrant further scrutiny and consideration in the ongoing debate over the app’s presence in the United States.
