Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher: Chinese Owned TikTok ‘Digital Fentanyl’ Poisoning Youth

John RigolizzoJanuary 1, 2023

Republican Wisconsin Congressman Mike Gallagher is compared TikTok To “digital fentanyl” Despite attempts to ban the app from the U.S.

Appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Gallagher attacked the Chinese-owned social networking platform Sunday for the adverse effects it has on children in the US and the vast amounts of data that it collects. He demanded that Congress ban this app in all 50 states.

“I think the comparison is apt for at least two reasons,” Gallagher. “One, it’s highly addictive and destructive and we’re seeing troubling data about the corrosive impact of constant social media use, particularly on young men and women here in America.”

“It’s also digital fentanyl in the sense that, as you allude to, it ultimately goes back to the Chinese Communist Party. TikTok is owned by ByteDance; ByteDance is effectively controlled by the CCP. So, we have to ask whether we want the CCP to control what is on the cusp of becoming the most powerful media company in America,” Gallagher went on. “That is very troubling. And so, I was glad to see my colleagues in the Senate pass, in unanimous fashion, a ban of TikTok on government devices. I think we should do the same in the House and expand that ban nationally.”

Gallagher then listed several safety concerns he had about TikTok — namely that the Chinese government could easily use the technology to access and save sensitive data about American citizens. He was also concerned that the Chinese could filter the information being sent to Americans through the app, especially if other news sources are limited.

“I’m concerned about TikTok’s ability to track your location, track your keystrokes, track what websites you’re visiting, even when you’re not using the app. I’m concerned about the lack of transparency around the algorithm which is addicting kids,” He explained. “But I think what’s more pernicious is the fact that, since a lot of young men and women in America increasingly turn to TikTok to get news, what if they start censoring the news, right? What if they start tweaking the algorithm to determine what the CCP deems fit to print? That’s incredibly dangerous. That’s as if, in 1958, we allowed the KGB and Pravda to buy The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, and The Washington Post. That actually probably understates the threat. I think it’s a multi-pronged threat we need to look at.”

Gallagher This phrase was borrowed “digital fentanyl” From an ex-FCC Commissioner Brendan CarrIn November, he used the phrase to describe the app during an interview with Fox News. Gallagher repeatedly called for Americans to delete the app It is because of security concerns.

Some 14 states Apps on state-owned state devices that are used by state workers and contractors have been banned. Congress approved a bill that would ban the use of the app on federal devices. $1.7 trillion omnibus Spending bill passed last month. Already the House It has banned the use of its app on any devices.

Gallagher previously introduced legislation together with Raja Krishnamoorthi, Democratic Illinois Congressman. ban the app altogether. “It would allow for a sale to an American company,” Gallagher shared his thoughts with Todd. “That option was explored during the Trump administration. Oracle explored a version of that. Microsoft ultimately fell through. I think there’s a workable solution there… I’m open to having that discussion with TikTok. And I really want to have that discussion with the Biden administration. I don’t think this should be a partisan issue. I want to work with them… this isn’t a partisan issue.”