Sen. Joni Ernst and Rep. Troy Nehls called on President Biden to suspend his campaign’s use of TikTok due to national security concerns. Despite a new law requiring the app’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to divest or face a US ban, the Biden campaign continues to have a presence on the platform. The lawmakers urged the president to set an example by ceasing the use of TikTok until it is sold to a responsible US buyer.
Following the signing of the TikTok bill, President Biden’s campaign posted a video on the app mocking former President Donald Trump. The campaign’s TikTok account, “bidenhq,” has over 300,000 followers and has posted numerous videos since its launch. A Biden campaign official defended the use of TikTok, stating that it is necessary to engage with voters online, particularly younger demographics. The campaign emphasized the importance of using all available tools to reach voters ahead of the 2024 election.
Ernst and Nehls criticized the president for prioritizing politics over national security by continuing to use TikTok. They emphasized the significant security threats posed by the Chinese-owned app and called for Biden to suspend his TikTok account until it is no longer controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. The lawmakers stressed the importance of presidential leadership in setting an example for all Americans who use TikTok.
White House officials have expressed concerns about Americans’ data being at risk while in the hands of ByteDance and the Chinese Communist Party. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby highlighted the importance of data security and preventing sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan reiterated the need to keep data from TikTok within the United States to ensure it is not exploited by foreign entities.
The ongoing debate over TikTok’s national security implications underscores the broader issue of protecting American data and digital infrastructure from foreign interference. The Biden administration faces pressure from lawmakers and security officials to take a firm stance on the use of Chinese-owned apps like TikTok. The outcome of this situation will likely impact future policies related to data security and the use of social media platforms with ties to adversarial foreign governments.
In conclusion, the calls for President Biden to suspend his campaign’s use of TikTok reflect growing concerns over the app’s ties to the Chinese government and potential risks to national security. The ongoing debate highlights the need for robust measures to protect Americans’ data and digital assets from foreign exploitation. As policymakers navigate these complex issues, the outcome will have significant implications for the future regulation of social media platforms and technologies with international connections.
