US Republicans, TikTok, and Concerns about Chinese Interference

The lawmakers, joined by Republican Senators Ted Cruz, Joni Ernst Thom Tillis, Kevin Cramer and Rick Scott, asked the officials to say whether Beijing could amplify certain political views and conduct influence operations through TikTok.

The popular app is owned by Beijing ByteDance Technology Co.

"If evidence emerges of CCP electoral interference via TikTok, would ByteDance be eligible for sanctions?" under an executive order on foreign electoral influence, the lawmakers asked.

TikTok is in the crosshairs of the Trump administration as US-China ties have soured over the pandemic and Beijing’s move to curb freedoms in Hong Kong.

This month, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said action was imminent to address national security risks posed by TikTok.

Trump's poll numbers have been sagging as he prepares to face Democrat Joe Biden in the November election.

In 2019, special prosecutor Robert Mueller's report found extensive cases of Russian meddling that benefited the Trump campaign in the 2016 election.

(Writer: Alexandra Alper | Editors: David Gregorio, Jonathan Oatis)

Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-tiktok/u-s-republicans-worry-china-might-use-tiktok-to-meddle-in-election-idUSKCN24T309