In a recent statement, Rep. John Moolenaar, chair of the House’s select committee on countering China, emphasized the importance of eliminating Chinese influence and control over TikTok. He stressed that any deal involving TikTok must prioritize American control to protect national interests.
Current Situation with TikTok
Recent reports have suggested that the White House is exploring a deal that would involve American firm Oracle taking a stake in TikTok’s American operations. However, Moolenaar made it clear that ByteDance, the Chinese company behind TikTok, must completely divest its control of the app. He highlighted that data, content, and algorithms cannot be shared between ByteDance and TikTok in any capacity.
Legal Stance on Chinese Control
Moolenaar referenced a Supreme Court decision from January that upheld a law prohibiting TikTok as long as it remains under Chinese control. This law, passed with bipartisan support and signed by then-President Joe Biden, emphasizes the need to keep TikTok out of Chinese influence.
Concerns and Expectations
With discussions ongoing about the future of TikTok in the U.S., many questions remain about the extent of Chinese involvement in any potential deal. Members of Congress, including Moolenaar, are expected to be briefed on the details of the proposed agreement in the coming days.
National Security and Data Protection
Moolenaar also criticized a previous ByteDance initiative, known as ‘Project Texas,’ which aimed to store American data on U.S.-based servers. Despite this effort, concerns persisted about Chinese access to user data and the potential for censorship through TikTok’s algorithm.
Enforcing American Control
While several lawmakers have expressed reservations about Chinese involvement in TikTok, the enforcement of laws against such influence remains a challenge. It is unclear how Congress, including Moolenaar, would address violations of laws aimed at safeguarding American interests.
As the debate continues, Moolenaar’s firm stance on American control over TikTok underscores the ongoing efforts to protect data security and national interests in the digital age.
