Biden’s TikTok move may result in broader US ban on China-linked app
President Joe Biden’s Decision to Join TikTok Sparks Legislative Push to Broaden Ban
President Joe Biden has made a bold move by having his 2024 reelection campaign join TikTok on Super Bowl Sunday. However, this decision has prompted a legislative push to expand the federal ban on the popular China-owned app. Even officials in Biden’s own administration have warned that TikTok poses a national security threat.
Legislation to Strengthen the Ban
Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) is taking action by working on a bill that aims to prohibit all federal employees with security clearance from having TikTok on their personal devices. Additionally, the bill would stipulate that no individual running for federal elected office can use TikTok as a fundraising platform.
Pfluger believes that the current ban on downloading TikTok onto government phones is not enough. He is concerned about the risk of Beijing collecting data from millions of TikTok users in the United States and the potential for foreign influence campaigns. Pfluger emphasizes the importance of protecting government employees with security clearances from potential blackmail and manipulation.
“If you have a security clearance, you need to stay off TikTok,” Pfluger stated. “And number 2, no person running in a federal election should be using TikTok as a fundraising mechanism.”
Previous Actions and Skepticism
In late 2022, Biden signed a TikTok ban on government-issued devices of nearly 4 million federal employees. However, exceptions were made for law enforcement, national security, and security research. Biden also threatened a complete U.S. ban if TikTok’s Chinese owners did not divest. Currently, the White House is deferring to a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.
Despite TikTok and Beijing’s attempts to address concerns, the Biden campaign’s decision to join the platform has raised alarm in Congress. Biden campaign advisers claim to have implemented a sophisticated security protocol, but skepticism remains.
Pfluger criticizes Biden’s move, calling it “very hypocritical” and suggesting that it prioritizes political expediency over national security. He believes Biden is desperate to reach out to young voters.
Legislative Challenges and Future Prospects
Pfluger acknowledges the legal challenges faced by former President Donald Trump when attempting to ban TikTok by executive order. He recognizes that the current situation is uncharted territory.
A Senate bill, supported by a bipartisan group of senators, could grant the president more authority to ban TikTok and other foreign technology platforms. However, despite Biden’s endorsement, the bill has made no progress. Pfluger remains hopeful that his legislation will receive bipartisan support as more people become aware of the risks posed by TikTok.
What information does the Department of Homeland Security’s assessment of TikTok’s potential national security risks seek to provide to policymakers?
Of Americans through the app, potentially compromising national security. By broadening the ban to include federal employees with security clearance and political candidates, Pfluger hopes to further protect sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.
Furthermore, Pfluger’s bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to conduct an assessment of the potential national security risks posed by TikTok, including its data collection practices and its ties to the Chinese government. This assessment would provide critical information for policymakers to make informed decisions regarding the use of TikTok within the government.
Other lawmakers have also expressed support for strengthening the ban on TikTok. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) has introduced a bill that would prohibit all federal employees from using TikTok on government devices, citing concerns over the app’s data collection practices and its ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Hawley argues that TikTok poses a serious risk to national security and that the government should take a strong stance against it.
The push to expand the ban on TikTok comes after months of scrutiny and concerns over the app’s potential national security risks. In 2020, former President Donald Trump issued executive orders seeking to ban TikTok due to its Chinese ownership. However, these efforts were halted by legal challenges, and President Biden has since revoked these executive orders.
While there are no immediate plans to ban TikTok entirely, President Biden’s decision to join the platform has increased calls for stricter measures. TikTok has consistently denied allegations of data sharing with the Chinese government, but concerns remain due to China’s national intelligence law, which requires companies to cooperate with Chinese intelligence agencies if requested.
The legislative push to broaden the ban on TikTok is a reflection of the growing concern over national security risks posed by Chinese-owned technology companies. Amidst increasing tensions between the United States and China, policymakers are seeking stronger safeguards to protect American interests.
It remains to be seen whether Pfluger’s bill or similar legislation will gain enough support to be enacted into law. However, it is clear that the issue of TikTok’s potential threat to national security is not going away anytime soon. As the debate continues, policymakers must carefully weigh the benefits and risks associated with the popular social media platform and take decisive action to safeguard national security interests.
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