A video posted by President Biden's reelection campaign on the popular Chinese app TikTok has raised concerns about national security implications and a "mixed message" in the Biden administration.
The video, in which Biden answers questions in a lightning-round style, was viewed over 7 million times as of Tuesday morning. Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.), the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, expressed his worry about the decision to join the app, citing the potential risk of the Chinese government having access to user data and being able to manipulate algorithms to shape what content is seen on the app.
In response to questions from off-screen, Biden displayed quick and witty responses, highlighting the influence of the Super Bowl on his wife and showing his support for the Chiefs. The President's decision to join TikTok has sparked criticism from Republican lawmakers, who have long been concerned about the app's ties to the Chinese government. TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, is based in Beijing, and lawmakers worry about the potential for user data to be used for propaganda or other nefarious purposes.
Warner has previously introduced legislation alongside Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) that would give the Department of Commerce the authority to review and potentially ban technologies with ties to foreign governments. This legislation was proposed in response to concerns about TikTok, which has been accused of collecting data from American users and storing it in China.
The Biden administration's decision to join the app has reignited these concerns, with Republican lawmakers like Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) calling it a "spy app" and highlighting the fact that it is banned on all federal government devices.
The Biden campaign has defended its decision to join TikTok, stating that they are taking advanced security measures and have implemented a sophisticated security protocol to protect against potential threats. They have also noted that the app can be a powerful tool for reaching young voters, who are the largest demographic on the platform. The administration has used TikTok in the past for spreading messaging on COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war and has even invited popular creators on the app to the White House.
However, concerns about national security and the influence of the Chinese government on the app's content persist. Senator Warner, who has been a vocal critic of TikTok, expressed his worries about a "mixed message" being sent by the Biden administration, as the President had signed an act in late 2020 that banned the use of the app on government devices. Warner also expressed concern about the potential for the Chinese Communist Party to manipulate the app's algorithms and control what content is seen by users, furthering their agenda and potentially undermining American interests.
Other GOP lawmakers, like Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), have also warned about the dangers of TikTok and its potential threats to national security. In an opinion piece last August, Rubio called for the banning of the Chinese-controlled app, pointing to reports that user data, including sensitive information like tax records and Social Security numbers, is stored in China where it can be accessed by ByteDance employees. He also highlighted the fact that TikTok can undercut American businesses by allowing Chinese sellers to offer products for cheaper through the app.
In response to these concerns, the White House has stated that "nothing's changed" about its view of TikTok from a national security perspective. However, Republican lawmakers and national security experts continue to call for action to address the potential risks of TikTok, particularly as its popularity and influence continue to grow in the United States.
The debate surrounding the app and its ties to the Chinese government is likely to continue, and it remains to be seen how the Biden administration will address these concerns and potential threats to national security.