U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jon Husted (R-OH), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) have called for a federal investigation into the acquisition of Epic! Creations, an educational technology company, by TAL Education Group, a Chinese firm. The senators addressed their concerns in a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who chairs the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
The lawmakers highlighted that Epic’s digital library is used by millions of American students and is present in 94 percent of elementary schools across the country. They raised concerns about potential risks to student data privacy and possible influence over educational content due to TAL’s obligations under Chinese law.
“We believe that this acquisition by TAL, which is subject to Chinese data laws that grant broad access of user data to the CCP, represents a significant threat to American children and educational sovereignty,” wrote the senators. “We cannot now allow China to make inroads into our elementary school systems to indoctrinate a young generation of American students.”
The letter points out that as a Chinese company, TAL is required to comply with China’s National Intelligence Law and Data Security Law. According to the senators, these laws could give the Chinese Communist Party access to sensitive information collected from U.S. students using Epic’s platform.
They referenced previous CFIUS actions involving forced divestitures due to similar privacy concerns, such as cases with Grindr and Beijing Kunlun Tech in 2019, StayNTouch and Shiji in 2020, and iCarbonX and PatientsLikeMe in 2019.
“In addition to these data privacy concerns, we fear that allowing TAL to have editorial control of Epic’s vast digital library will turn this useful learning tool into a CCP influence operation directed at American children,” they wrote. The senators also noted ongoing efforts by parents seeking more involvement in education curriculum decisions.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee—chaired by Senator Cassidy during the 119th Congress—oversees legislation related to public health and education policy nationwide according to its official website. The committee plays a central role in shaping federal regulations affecting health and education sectors and provides oversight for agencies like the FDA and NIH.
In their letter, the senators requested information about whether CFIUS has reviewed or plans to review TAL’s acquisition of Epic. They asked what steps can be taken if no review has been initiated and sought details about how much student data may be accessible under Chinese jurisdiction.
They also questioned whether legal safeguards exist against potential content changes or censorship within Epic’s library that could align with CCP interests.
The senators concluded their request by offering readiness for a classified briefing on this matter due to its sensitive nature.
For further updates from HELP Republicans, readers are directed to visit their website or Twitter account @GOPHELP.
