TikTok’s alleged data sharing with China has resurfaced. A key regulator and a group of politicians have raised worries about the Chinese service’s potential national security risks.
An open letter from nine Republican senators signed by Roy Blunt of Missouri and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee was sent to the firm on Friday. According to the letter, officials in Beijing are said to have “behind-the-scenes access” to user data.
As one of the most scrutinized security platforms, TikTok’s Chew stated in response to the letter, “we are dedicated to eliminating any fears regarding the security of American consumers’ data.”
What Are the TikTok App’s Problems?
After acquiring Musical.ly in 2017 and going global in 2018, TikTok has claimed unparalleled social media domination. However, ByteDance, the parent firm of TikTok, may share data on Americans obtained via the app with the Chinese government, according to certain U.S. authorities.
They are afraid that this information may be used against U.S citizens.
Individual users may be profiled and spied on by China using this data. They can also be monitored and targeted by the Chinese government.
It’s also possible that the data may be utilized collectively to target the United States, for example, by leveraging data to build misinformation operations to undermine the United States government.
As Of Now, What Has the United States Government Done?
The Trump administration was aware of the app in 2020 and requested ByteDance to remove it.
Recently, investigations have been underway by the Biden administration regarding the security risks associated with the TikTok app.
Government authorities investigating foreign acquisitions of American firms are investigating these issues, including the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.
As stated in the company’s statement, TikTok is already making efforts to alleviate the worries of the United States authorities.
Is It Really a Danger?
It’s unlikely. According to a 2020 New York Times story, the CIA found no indication that Chinese intelligence agents had intercepted TikTok data.
However, data may be used by any third party to generate disinformation campaigns, as we witnessed with Facebook during the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections and other social media platforms like Instagram.
In the past, national security agencies and politicians have cautioned about the dangers of permitting Chinese-owned technology businesses to operate in the United States since Chinese law mandates that companies operating in China must share information with the communist regime.
Huawei and ZTE, two Chinese companies, have previously been barred by the U.S. government from using telecommunications equipment.
To prevent Beijing from spying on American individuals or conducting cyber war against America, the U.S. government has also prohibited Chinese telecom service providers from operating in the U.S.
What Kind of Data Does TikTok Gather?
TikTok, like Facebook, Instagram, and other social networking services, gathers data on your location, I.P. address, search history, messages, what you watch, and for how long.
In addition, device I.D.s are gathered to keep track of your interactions with third-party marketers.
The app may also access your phone and social media connections if you allow it to do so.
Aside from that, it can access your personally-generated stuff, such as the films and images you share on social media when participating in the “hello, my name is Zuzie” trend.
TikTok, like other social networking platforms, uses this data to present relevant material to you while you’re using the app.
In the same way that other social media firms rely on ad serving, TikTok relies on analytics to generate interest among users.
TikTok’s Privacy Policy states that no user data is sold. If you don’t want your data to be stored or processed outside of the United States, you may opt out of the service. Third parties with which it exchanges data may also be situated outside of the United States, according to the business.
Is Bytedance Still Able to Access the Data of Its U.S. Users?
ByteDance personnel in China have access to TikTok data. Still, with strong cybersecurity controls and official approval managed by a US-based security team, TikTok’s Chew said in a letter to the senators.
Even though ByteDance is moving its Chinese servers to Oracle’s cloud service, he indicated that the company’s Chinese staff would continue to work with TikTok. They’ll keep working on TikTok’s system for delivering video suggestions to users. TikTok’s content may easily keep you occupied for a long period of time. You’ll never get bored, that’s for sure! To guarantee interoperability among ByteDance’s international artists and viewers, he added that all public videos and comments would be accessible to ByteDance personnel under terms approved by the U.S. government.
Does The Fcc Have Any Jurisdiction Over Applications and Online Companies?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates all communications networks, including wired and wireless. All of these services are included: radio, television, satellite, and cellphone.
However, a company like Apple or Google can’t be forced to remove an app from its platforms by the FCC since it doesn’t govern the internet or any firms that operate on it.
Unlike Huawei, ZTE, and China Mobile, the FCC does not have regulatory jurisdiction over internet platforms and companies. However, companies may be forced to remove the software or apps from their platforms due to pressure from Washington, D.C., including politicians and President’s Commerce Department reviews.
