Biden Says He’s Not Sure About TikTok Ban

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

President Joe Biden left it open on whether he will ban the Chinese-owned short video app TikTok that has been drawing scrutiny for national security concerns.

“I’m not sure. I know I don’t have it on my phone,” Biden said on Feb. 6, in response to a reporter’s question about TikTok after returning to Washington from a weekend retreat at Camp David.

With an estimated 1.5 billion users worldwide, TikTok has become one of the most popular apps in the United States. But its connection with the Chinese firm ByteDance has raised growing concerns.

FBI director Christopher Wray in December said that the Chinese ownership could give the Chinese Communist Party ability to control the recommendation algorithm, allowing them to manipulate content and carry out influence operations. On top of that, the regime could use the app to collect data on “millions of devices,” which “gives them the ability to engage in different kinds of malicious cyber activity,” he said.

“All of these things are in the hands of a government that doesn’t share our values and that has a mission that’s very much at odds with what’s in the best interest of the United States. That should concern us.”

In a June letter (pdf) to lawmakers, TikTok admitted that China-based employees can “have access to TikTok U.S. user data subject to a series of robust cybersecurity controls and authorization approval protocols overseen by our U.S.-based security team.” They further noted that certain staff from China will be able to access “a narrow, nonsensitive set of TikTok U.S. user data” to “ensure global interoperability.”

Previously leaked recordings indicate engineers in China had repeatedly accessed U.S. data as recently as last January.

For its part, TikTok has maintained that it would never provide user data to the Chinese regime, pointing to American user data being stored on servers in the United States.

By Eva Fu

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Truth & Treason

World War II has long served as a compelling...

Is an American confusing England for Britain a problem?

The difficulty is when Americans try to engage with British politics, where they keep saying "England" rather than "Britain."

Charlie Kirk Assassination Links Back to Israel

Those who really know how to use the tools...

Lessons from the Cleavers: “Leave it to Beaver” Can Teach Us A Lot

A Gen-Zer reflects on growing up watching Leave It to Beaver, grateful for the shows timeless lessons and and the values it taught.

Why Democracy, not Caesar, is the answer to our problems

Caesar-style leadership wins quick public support but inevitably sparks passionate resistance, conflict, bloodshed, and lasting social destabilization.

Judge Widens Block on Shutdown-Related Layoffs to Cover More Federal Workers

Judge expanded her order blocking Trump admin mass layoffs during the govt shutdown, extending job protections to more workers.

When Government Could Reopen–Key Dates to Watch

Federal govt shutdown enters third week with Congress deadlocked and no negotiations in sight as key deadlines loom to test lawmakers’ resolve.

Reader Poll: Hold Financers, Organizers Accountable for Political Violence

Respondents to our reader poll think authorities should examine the funding and coordination behind political protests that turn violent.

Boeing Gets FAA Approval to Increase 737 Max Production

FAA has granted Boeing approval to increase output of its 737 Max airplanes, easing limits imposed after last year’s Alaska Airlines mid-flight incident.

Army Corps of Engineers to Pause $11 Billion in Projects During Shutdown: Vought

Russ Vought, director of the White House’s OMB, has added to the growing pile of federal projects paused during the government shutdown.

Trump Signs Executive Order Putting New Restrictions on Federal Hiring

Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to restrict hiring, with exceptions for immigration, security, and political appointees.

Trump Says He Has Authorized Covert CIA Operations in Venezuela

President Trump authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela, expanding U.S. assets there to increase pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s regime.

Trump Posthumously Awards Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Trump posthumously awarded Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the White House Rose Garden on Oct 14, Charlie's birthday.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central