U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) introduced this week legislation that seeks to prohibit TikTok from accessing domestic citizens’ user data from within China and block TikTok installation on government devices.
The Block the Tok Act also directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to initiate an investigation to determine if TikTok has engaged in unfair or deceptive acts or practices and prohibits the installation and use of TikTok at military installations and national security agencies that include the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the National Security Agency (NSA) and the FBI, among others.
“According to TikTok’s own employees, ‘everything is seen in China,’” Johnson said. “It might seem trivial to go after an app known for viral dance videos, but TikTok is a national security concern. TikTok has more than one billion users, and China is using Americans’ information to advance its communist agenda. It’s no secret China’s goal is to replace the U.S. as the world’s superpower – Americans shouldn’t help China advance its agenda. Block the Tok keeps China’s hands off your personal information.”
Johnson said that TikTok has circumvented privacy safeguards since 2020 and has paid nearly $100 million in fines for improper data collection, including that of children under the age of 13.