GOP Intel Committee Chairman: Communist China Inserting Itself ‘Through TikTok Into Our Data Systems’

Mike Turner, Republican of Ohio, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee stated that communist China uses TikTok As more people call for the federal government’s ban on the app, it will be allowed to enter U.S. data systems.

Turner made the comments during an interview on ABC News with Martha Raddatz “This Week” When asked how his approach to China differs from President Joe Biden’s.

“I think what we heard clearly from the intelligence community is the emergence of China as a threat, both militarily and through espionage … through technology, quantum technology, computing, also certainly the ability for them to insert themselves through TikTok into our data systems,” He said. “We worked really hard to get them out of our telecommunication systems with – by getting rid of Huawei systems in our telecommunication, and then we’re handing over our phone systems by people downloading a TikTok app, which has no division between, you know, the Chinese company, the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party.”

“So I think that — the difference I think is that the Biden administration appears to be much too timid,” He continued. “They’ve been much timid in their approach to Russia, always having been pushed by Congress before they would fully support Ukraine. And I think even in China they’re afraid to provoke. And we believe, I think most, who have looked at the intelligence, that look at what’s happening with their military buildup, they’re tripling their side of their nuclear weapons pointed at the United States, they’re expanding their – their shipbuilding, they’re absolutely emerging as a military threat to the United States. I think we need to respond, and respond very strongly.”

WATCH:

GOP Rep. Mike Turner is the Chair of the House Intelligence Committee. @MarthaRaddatz China is emerging as a threat “both militarily and through espionage.”

“Certainly the ability for them to insert themselves through TikTok into our data systems.” https://t.co/2jPydU5dKv pic.twitter.com/FfxckqbXkH

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) March 12, 2023

TRANSCRIPT:

MARTHA RADDATZ – ABC NEWS HOST: We need to bring in Republican Congressman Mike Turner as the House Intelligence Committee Chair.

Let’s begin with China. What did Senator Warner say? What does President Biden think of your approach to China?

REP. MIKE TURNER (R–OH): Good morning Martha.

First, the intelligence community clearly saw China’s rise as a threat. This was both militarily as well as through espionage. And, as the senator said, through technology, quantum technology and computing. They also have the potential to insert themselves via TikTok into our data system. We worked really hard to get them out of our telecommunication systems with – by getting rid of Huawei systems in our telecommunication, and then we’re handing over our phone systems by people downloading a TikTok app, which has no division between, you know, the Chinese company, the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party.

So I think that the difference I think is that the — the Biden administration appears to be much too timid. They’ve been much timid in their approach to Russia, always on the — having been pushed by Congress before they would fully support Ukraine. And even in China, they are afraid to provoke. And we – we believe, I think most, who have looked at the intelligence, that look at what’s happening with their military buildup, they’re tripling their side of their nuclear weapons pointed at the United States, they’re expanding their – their shipbuilding, they’re absolutely emerging as a military threat to the United States. We must respond strongly, I believe.

RADDATZ: But – but what do you mean by that? You claimed that the administration fears provoking. What does that mean? What do you think they should do?

TURNER: Well, in a number of areas, when the – when the administration came in, there were policies in place in the Trump administration which they rescinded, one of which was a ban on TikTok. The Trump administration in August 2020 had ordered TikTok to be disinvested by China. That was reversed by the Trump administration in June 2021.

They also had a — the Department of Justice, a program that was directed at Chinese espionage. They – they were concerned that it was too provocative and that it’s – that it might be targeting individuals and so – which, of course, we wanted to target China and so they disbanded that – that program, which had been set up under the Trump administration. So, there’s a number of things where they’ve – they’ve dismantled them where, right now, we’re having debates about putting them back.

RADDATZ : China was a crucial player in the brokering of the agreement between Saudi Arabian and Iranian in restoring relationships. It stunned Mideast watchers but also appeared to leave the U.S. sidelined.

TURNER: Absolutely. That, I believe, is a reflection of the Biden administration.

The president had harsh words for Saudi Arabia when he arrived. It was at the exact same time we were working with Saudi Arabia in order to strengthen their defenses against Iran that Iran attacked Saudi Arabia. Instead of the — this administration stepping forward and being a partner to Saudi Arabia, our ally, and working with them to defend themselves against attacks from Iran, they subjected Saudi Arabia to a significant amount of criticism and were slow to react and respond to the military needs of – of Saudi Arabia.

It’s therefore not surprising that they may look for help elsewhere. It’s not surprising, and it is certainly disappointing that they would seek support from Iran.

“From GOP Intel Committee Chairman: Communist China Inserting Itself ‘Through TikTok Into Our Data Systems’“

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