U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump has intensified concerns over the security implications of TikTok, labelling the popular social media platform as a potential national security threat.
However, Trump also expressed apprehension that a ban on TikTok could adversely impact some children, while potentially bolstering Meta Platforms, formerly known as Facebook, a platform he has frequently criticized.
Trump's remarks come at a critical juncture as lawmakers deliberate over a proposed bill aimed at compelling TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its ownership of the app within six months. With over 170 million Americans using TikTok, the proposed legislation faces scrutiny in the U.S. House of Representatives, which is set to vote on Wednesday under fast-track rules, and requires a two-thirds majority to pass.
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In response to these developments, TikTok addressed Congress directly, emphasizing that it was "not owned or controlled by the Chinese government" and cautioning that divestment could compromise the $1.5 billion investment the company has made to safeguard U.S. user data.
"Ironically, U.S. user data could be less secure under a divestment scheme," the company said.
Meanwhile, the FBI, Justice Department, and Office of the Director of National Intelligence are set to hold a classified briefing for House members on Tuesday, underscoring the gravity of concerns surrounding TikTok's security implications. FBI Director Chris Wray reiterated these concerns during a hearing, amplifying the urgency of the situation.
The 2024 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community highlighted that "TikTok accounts run by a PRC propaganda arm reportedly targeted candidates from both political parties during the U.S. midterm election cycle in 2022".
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The Justice Department has also expressed its reservations regarding TikTok's security in a document last week, citing potential vulnerabilities in a document recently disclosed to Reuters.
"I'm not looking to make Facebook double the size," Trump told CNBC on Monday. "And if you ban TikTok, (then) Facebook and others, but mostly Facebook, will be a big beneficiary. And I think Facebook has been very dishonest."
In the midst of these deliberations, Trump cautioned against inadvertently benefiting Meta Platforms through a TikTok ban, arguing that such a move could inadvertently bolster its position in the market. Trump disclosed a recent meeting with investor Jeff Yass, whose firm has an investment stake in ByteDance, though he clarified that TikTok was not discussed during their conversation.
As the debate over TikTok's future unfolds, the implications for national security and the broader social media landscape remain at the forefront of policymakers' considerations.
