Debate intensifies in Washington over the potential risks of TikTok, with officials like RepDustyJohnson and former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta likening the social media platform to 'CCP malware'. A House Republican, Mr. Gallagher, suggests TikTok poses a greater danger to the U.S. than China's military might, potentially being used to sabotage America and its allies. Meanwhile, Club for Growth's president David McIntosh, alongside Kellyanne Conway, held an off-the-record briefing in D.C. to discuss the political repercussions of restricting or banning the app. The Trump and Biden administrations have considered such a ban, but face opposition citing commercial interests and free speech principles.
Still, Mr. Gallagher said, TikTok presents risks that Congress and the executive branch cannot ignore. https://t.co/ejufkvt55H
The Trump and Biden administrations have discussed banning or curbing TikTok’s presence in the U.S. but have met with commercial and philosophical pushback. Some say the move would amount to government censorship. https://t.co/ejufkvt55H
“I have a tendency to describe @tiktok_us as nothing more than CCP malware. Is that hyperbolic or is that accurate?” - @RepDustyJohnson “I happen to think that’s accurate.” - Former Obama Administration Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. https://t.co/ayyE4vGu07
China may inflict more damage on the U.S. through TikTok than it can accomplish through its military arsenal, according to the House Republican who has emerged as a leading voice on Capitol Hill on the growing challenge posed by Beijing. https://t.co/XHhdcUIqET
The only “political risk” of banning TikTok accrues its CCP overlords actively using it to sabotage America and our allies This isn’t hard - if you wouldn’t let Stalin run all three US TV networks in 1950, you’d ban TikTok https://t.co/whHNKnSsL8
New: Pro-TikTok Club for Growth president David McIntosh is doing an off-the-record briefing tonight in D.C. on "the political risk of restricting or banning TikTok" with Kellyanne Conway, I'm told. McIntosh and his organization staunchly oppose a TikTok ban and are part of…