Following India, the United States now sees the dawn of difficult times for the Chinese app TikTok, which could soon face a ban. A bill proposing this was introduced a few days ago and is set for voting. Shocking revelations from a US intelligence report suggest that TikTok could potentially sway US elections.
During a House Intelligence Committee hearing on Tuesday, Avril Haines, US National Intelligence Director, opined that China could use TikTok to influence the 2024 US elections. The app has been accused of sharing user data with China, which led to its ban in India.
When asked by Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi if the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) would use TikTok to affect elections, Haines responded, "We cannot dismiss the possibility that the CCP would use it."
Krishnamoorthi, the ranking Democrat on the House Select Committee on China, along with Republican Chairman Mike Gallagher, introduced a bill last week. Under this bill, ByteDance, the Chinese owner of TikTok, has about six months to either sever ties with China or shut down the app in America, affecting over 170 million American users.
Surprising details emerge from intelligence report
The 2024 Annual Threat Assessment report by the American intelligence agency mentioned that TikTok accounts operated by the Chinese government's propaganda department targeted candidates from both political parties during the 2022 US midterm election cycle. The report warns that China could seek to sideline its critics and exacerbate social divisions in the US to influence the 2024 elections.
Meanwhile, TikTok has stated it has not and will not share American user data with the Chinese government. The company's ownership argues that the proposed House bill is tantamount to a ban. It remains unclear whether China would approve the sale of the app or if the app will be banned in the US within six months.
TikTok under US government scrutiny
TikTok has long been under the scrutiny of the US government, facing various allegations beyond election meddling, such as deliberately jeopardizing children's safety and mental health through its features, and prompting behaviors like self-harm and exploitation. Senator Tom Cotton recently inquired about TikTok Singapore chief Shou Zi Chew's connections to China and his links to the Chinese Communist Party.
Over 170 million Americans use TikTok
After a challenging hearing last March about TikTok's Chinese ownership, TikTok CEO Chew appeared before US lawmakers for the first time on Wednesday. There were suggestions that the app harms children's mental health and that user data could be shared with China's government. Chew revealed that more than 170 million Americans use TikTok monthly, which is 20 million more than last year.
