WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party have called for a federal inquiry into whether TikTok violated child privacy laws. The lawmakers expressed concerns over TikTok's actions involving children and the potential manipulation of the American public.
In a letter addressed to FTC Chairwoman Kahn, Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi highlighted their concerns regarding TikTok's deceptive practices. They stated, "TikTok has previously violated children’s data privacy laws. We are gravely concerned that an app controlled by the Chinese Communist Party appears to have the unfettered ability to manipulate the American public, including America’s children." The lawmakers also pointed out that TikTok's actions impacted young children and minors, leading to alarming consequences.
The lawmakers' request to the FTC includes investigating whether TikTok pushed deceptive pop-up messages to children under the age of 13 in violation of child privacy laws and its own terms of service. They also called for an examination of TikTok's actions in relation to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and Section 5 of the FTC Act.
Furthermore, Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, urging the FTC to look into past violations by TikTok. They expressed willingness to cooperate with the FTC for a private briefing on the matter.
The call for an inquiry comes following reports of TikTok's actions involving children and the dissemination of false information to influence legislative processes. Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi's letter to the FTC signals a growing concern over the potential exploitation of children's data and privacy rights by social media platforms like TikTok.
