US Commerce Secretary’s Visit to China Sparks Debate Over Future of TikTok
The recent visit of US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to China has once again put the spotlight on the uncertain future of TikTok in the United States. The popular short-form video app, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has faced intense criticism and scrutiny this year due to concerns over its ties to Beijing.
Despite the mounting pressure, efforts to ban or regulate TikTok in Washington have so far been unsuccessful. Even more notably, Secretary Raimondo, during her visit to China, has no plans to discuss TikTok, highlighting the impasse that the Biden administration has found itself in regarding the app.
The administration has grappled with how to handle TikTok as intelligence officials have warned of the national security risks it poses. The app has already been banned on government devices federally and in more than two dozen states. In addition, its CEO faced questioning before Congress in March, and lawmakers have proposed legislation to make it easier for the White House to ban tech companies owned by foreign adversaries like China.
However, the White House’s options are limited. Secretary Raimondo has acknowledged the potential political backlash that could arise from banning TikTok, stating that it could mean losing the support of voters under 35, who make up a significant portion of the app’s 150 million users in the United States.
Moreover, it remains uncertain if a ban on TikTok would stand up in court. When the Biden administration reportedly considered forcing a sale of TikTok by its Chinese owners earlier this year, China’s Commerce Ministry quickly expressed opposition to the divestment, warning it would undermine foreign investment in the United States.
As a result, the United States and TikTok have been engaged in lengthy discussions with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to address concerns about TikTok’s relationship with the Chinese government and the handling of user data by ByteDance. TikTok’s proposed plan, known as Project Texas, aims to establish independent oversight of the platform, including domestic servers owned by Oracle, a software giant. The plan also involves a committee responsible for security-related decision-making that would operate separately from ByteDance.
Despite TikTok’s assurances that it has never shared US user data with the Chinese government, concerns persist. Intelligence officials have warned that Beijing could potentially access sensitive data through TikTok or manipulate its algorithm to influence the content seen by users. These concerns have not been alleviated by TikTok’s establishment of headquarters in Singapore and Los Angeles.
Navigating the issue of TikTok is challenging for the White House, as targeting the app could lead to retaliation against American companies operating in China. Furthermore, Democrats are seen as more likely to benefit from TikTok, making it a potentially divisive issue ahead of the next election.
While the Biden administration has endorsed legislation that would enhance its regulatory power over foreign services collecting Americans’ data, these bills have yet to make progress in Congress. Senator Mark Warner, who wrote one such bill called the RESTRICT Act, has called for a comprehensive strategy to address national security concerns posed by apps like TikTok.
In conclusion, the future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain. While efforts to ban or regulate the app have been met with challenges, the Biden administration continues to grapple with the national security risks it poses. The ongoing discussions between TikTok and US regulatory authorities reflect the complexities involved in finding a resolution that addresses concerns while avoiding potential blowback against American companies operating in China.
