Chairman of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), has discussed evidence suggesting that the United States may possess information indicating TikTok as a national security concern. This comes amidst ongoing investigations into the social media platform.
Gallagher stated, "We now have direct evidence of Chinese government officials accessing a product that hosts secret TikTok information." He further elaborated on his concerns, stating, "New public data analysis of TikTok also suggests that ByteDance permits rampant antisemitic bias on the platform while suppressing and censoring content sensitive to the CCP." According to a video posted to an unspecified platform, Gallagher added, "Praise for the infamous terrorist Osama Bin Laden recently trended on TikTok, while pro-Israel hashtags are underrepresented by at least a 2 to 1 margin versus other similar platforms."
TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has been a subject of concern for U.S. lawmakers over the past year. The apprehension arises from its ownership by ByteDance and their alleged ties to the CCP. Lawmakers have expressed concerns about potential use of the platform for accessing data from U.S. citizens for spying purposes, according to CNN.
Recently, lawmakers have raised new concerns about content on TikTok, leading to renewed calls for a ban in the United States. This increase in calls follows the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Palestine. Lawmakers argue that the platform promotes pro-Hamas content and critics claim that TikTok is using its influence to push content supporting the Palestinian cause. NBC reports lawmakers expressing concern over Americans' growing reliance on TikTok as a significant news source and allegations of information manipulation by the platform.
Gallagher continued his critique saying, "According to a recent State Department report, ByteDance even kept a list of users who were likely blocked from TikTok for reasons such as supporting Uyghur Muslims, who are currently subjected to a genocide in China." As per a video posted on an unspecified platform, he added, "A regime that is committing such atrocities should not be able to silence U.S. critics of these policies, let alone be able to surveil U.S. users, prey on American children, and exploit sensitive U.S. data to the detriment of our national security."
Gallagher, who represents Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District and is seeking re-election to the U.S. House, earned his degree in international relations and affairs. He served seven years of active duty in the Marine Corps, leaving in 2013 with the rank of captain. During his service, he worked in counterintelligence and was a member of the Central Command (CENTCOM) assessment team during deployment, according to Ballotpedia.
