Congressman John Moolenaar Chairman of the Select Committee on the CCP | Official Website
Chairman Moolenaar has made a strong case against ByteDance's continued control over TikTok, citing national security concerns and legal obligations. In an op-ed published in National Review, he argued that any agreement allowing ByteDance to maintain influence over the popular app would violate U.S. law and pose significant risks.
Moolenaar highlighted reports suggesting ByteDance is attempting to retain control of TikTok through licensing deals, maintaining access to user data, and staffing the platform with loyalists. He pointed out that these efforts echo the failed Project Texas initiative from 2023, which aimed to store American data on U.S. servers but did not address ByteDance's overarching control.
He emphasized that a deal must eliminate Chinese influence as mandated by the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. This act requires full divestiture of ByteDance’s control over TikTok, including no shared data or algorithms between the two entities.
The chairman warned of potential fallout across the tech industry if ByteDance remains involved with TikTok. Legal risks could impact companies like Akamai, Google, Apple, and Oracle due to shareholder lawsuits and penalties.
Moolenaar underscored the importance of adhering to legal standards to protect American tech infrastructure and prevent foreign adversaries from exploiting weaknesses in the digital ecosystem. He concluded by urging for a lawful resolution that ensures national security and upholds the rule of law.
