In the US they want to ban TikTok: the bill has already been submitted to Congress

On Dec. 13, Republican Senator Marco Rubio introduced a bill to ban the Chinese social network TikTok from American users' electronic media. He was supported by lawmakers from both parties. Voice of America.

Photo: IStock

The reason is fears that the TikTok application could be used to spy on Americans, collect their personal data and spread misinformation.

The new bill aims to ban any social media apps controlled or influenced by China and Russia. In the House of Representatives, a similar bill was introduced by Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher and Democrat Raja Krishnamurthy.

On the subject: Clothes and gadgets at half price: American company sells baggage lost at airports

A press release issued by Senator Rubio stated that “under PRC law, TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, is required to share all TikTok app data with the Chinese Communist Party. Everyone from the FBI director to FCC officials to cybersecurity experts believe TikTok could be used to spy on Americans.”

“The American government has not yet taken any of the necessary steps to protect American users from the threat of TikTok,” Rubio said. He believes that "we are not talking about creative videos, but about an application that collects data on tens of millions of American children and adults every day."

“We know that TikTok is being used to manipulate news and influence elections. And this is a response to China. We can no longer waste time on meaningless negotiations with the ByteDance campaign, which is a puppet of the Chinese Communist Party. It's time to permanently ban Beijing-controlled TikTok,” the senator said in a statement.

“TikTok is digital fentanyl that is addicting Americans, massively harvesting their data, and censoring news. NikTo is a powerful media company owned by Byte Dance that is ultimately subservient to communist China, America's greatest adversary,” said Congressman Mike Gallagher.

Like the article? Support ForumDaily!?

“Allowing TikTok to continue to operate in the United States is the same as if, during the Cold War, the United States allowed the USSR to buy up the New York Times and Washington Post newspapers, as well as major television and radio networks,” he added.

In November, at a US congressional hearing, FBI Director Chris Wray spoke about the dangers of TikTok and the risk that Beijing could use TikTok's influence on American users and gain control of their electronic devices.

Citing a leaked audio recording, Buzzfeed News reported in June that ByteDance employees in China had repeatedly accessed sensitive data (such as phone numbers and birthdays) of TikTok users in the US. Separately, Forbes reported in October that ByteDance plans to use TikTok "to track the personal whereabouts of certain specific American citizens," reports NPR.

Some US states have banned their employees from using TikTok on computers and phones.

TikTok insists U.S. user data is securely stored outside of China and inaccessible to government officials, reports CNBC. But the company's reassurances have done little to dampen U.S. officials' negative vibes around TikTok.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants, and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New Y.

In 2020, the administration of President Donald Trump attempted to prevent new users in the US from downloading the app. Trump wanted to ban other transactions that would effectively block the use of the TikTok app in the country.

Read also on ForumDaily:

How to quickly clear the windshield of ice: winter life hack conquered Internet users

In Florida, street lights began to shine with purple light: what is the reason

'A chance for rehabilitation': how Russian volunteers in the US and Europe help Ukrainians

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.