Senate Intelligence Chair Voices Concerns Over Biden Campaign’s TikTok Involvement

Washington, DC, (USA): The chair of the US Senate Intelligence Committee, a senior Democrat, expressed concerns about President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign decision to join TikTok. The campaign launched its TikTok account during the Super Bowl to connect with young voters. This move is noteworthy as TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is under US review due to potential national security risks. Lawmakers have called for a TikTok ban, citing fears of Chinese government access to user data.

Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat, voiced worry over national security implications, suggesting a need to follow India’s ban on TikTok. Republican lawmakers also criticized the campaign’s TikTok involvement. The White House reiterated its concerns about TikTok’s use on government devices, maintaining the existing policy. The Biden administration had previously directed government agencies to remove TikTok from federal devices.

TikTok asserts it won’t share US user data with the Chinese government and has implemented measures for user privacy. The Biden campaign defends its TikTok presence, emphasizing advanced safety precautions. The campaign’s use of TikTok remains separate from the ongoing security review. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) had urged TikTok’s Chinese owners to sell shares or face potential bans in March 2023, but no action has been taken.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated the CFIUS review continues, endorsing legislation to address threats from foreign-owned apps. TikTok reported 170 million US users last month, indicating its substantial American user base.