DeSantis open to banning TikTok as president.

Gov. Ron DeSantis Considers Banning TikTok, Citing Cybersecurity Concerns

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has ‍raised the possibility of banning the popular social media platform TikTok if he were to‌ become ⁣president in 2024. Expressing​ his concerns about cybersecurity, DeSantis emphasized the need to protect the United States from ⁤potential ⁤threats.

The Beijing-based internet company ​ByteDance owns TikTok, which ​boasts approximately 150 million​ users in the U.S. While ⁤DeSantis‍ stated that he would not resort to using the⁤ Restrict Act, a bipartisan measure ‌granting the president authority to ‍take action⁢ against foreign software and services from U.S. adversaries, he made it clear that he is inclined to keep TikTok out of​ the country.

Addressing Security Vulnerabilities and Data Mining

DeSantis voiced his worries about TikTok’s impact on national security, stating, “I think it’s ‌creating a security ‍vulnerability for us. I think ⁣they are mining a lot‍ of data.” He also expressed concerns ‌about the platform’s negative influence on children, referring to ‍it as “very,⁢ very ⁤toxic.”

Highlighting the importance of protecting individual privacy,⁣ DeSantis emphasized that he does not want intrusive surveillance interfering with people’s apps. He believes that safeguarding the country from potential⁤ vulnerabilities⁤ is of utmost importance.

Continuing the Debate: Trump’s Attempted Ban and State Initiatives

The discussion surrounding a TikTok ban follows former President Donald Trump’s unsuccessful attempt to ban the app in 2020. While many Democrats⁣ have opposed such‍ a ban, Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) commended Trump’s efforts, cautioning ⁣parents to be “very concerned” about their children’s use of the platform.

Although a nationwide ban on TikTok has not ‌been implemented, several states have taken the initiative to ban the​ app on state devices. Nebraska was the first state to do so, and others, including South‌ Dakota, Maryland, Texas, and Oklahoma, have followed suit.

Click here to read⁢ more from The Washington Examiner.

DeSantis’ Support in Republican Primary

In a recent poll, Gov. Ron DeSantis received 15% support among potential Republican primary voters, while former ‌President Donald Trump maintained a commanding lead with 58% support.⁣ This indicates Trump’s ​continued dominance in the primary ⁤race.

Meanwhile,‍ Trump is⁤ currently ⁢facing a superseding indictment⁣ from⁤ special counsel ⁣Jack Smith regarding allegations ‌of mishandling classified documents ⁣after leaving‌ office. On Tuesday night, Smith issued a new ⁤indictment against Trump, encompassing various charges related to his actions during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

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