TikTok is a popular social media app owned by the Chinese company ByteDance that allows users to create and share short videos. It has over 1 billion monthly active users globally, with over 100 million in the United States alone. While widely used for entertainment, TikTok has faced growing scrutiny over data privacy and national security concerns due to its Chinese ownership.
Critics argue TikTok may be compelled to support Chinese government surveillance due to China’s national intelligence law. There are worries ByteDance could be forced to hand over TikTok’s data on U.S. users or manipulate content. Some fear the app’s recommendation algorithm could be used to influence public opinion or promote Chinese state propaganda. Additionally, TikTok collects significant user data which could provide insight into users’ behaviors and interests. Overall, these issues have led U.S. policymakers to designate TikTok as a potential national security threat.
TikTok’s Ties to China
TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, which was founded in 2012 by Zhang Yiming. ByteDance is headquartered in Beijing and subject to Chinese laws and regulations [1]. There are concerns that the Chinese government could potentially access TikTok user data or influence content [2]. While TikTok stores international user data on servers outside of China, its parent company ByteDance can still technically access and manage this data per internal policies [3].
As a Chinese company, ByteDance could be compelled under Chinese national security laws to share data or censor content. Some experts believe there is a risk, albeit unproven, that the Chinese government has leverage over ByteDance due to these laws. However, TikTok claims it has never provided user data to the Chinese government nor censored content at its request.
TikTok does operate a separate, censored version within China called Douyin. Bytedance claims TikTok data is kept segregated from Douyin data stored within China. Still, the connection between ByteDance, TikTok and the Chinese government has raised concerns among US officials and policymakers.
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/nov/07/tiktoks-china-bytedance-data-concerns
[2] https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/08/tech/tiktok-data-china/index.html
[3] https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandralevine/2023/06/21/tiktok-confirms-data-china-bytedance-security-cfius/
Data Collection Concerns
One of the main concerns surrounding TikTok is the massive amount of user data it collects. According to a report from the Congressional Research Service, “TikTok collects a broad array of personal data from its users, including IP addresses, location-related data, unique device identifiers, browsing and search histories, mobile phone numbers, and metadata” (source). While many social media apps collect user data, the amount harvested by TikTok is seen by some as excessive and invasive.
In particular, TikTok has the ability to access sensitive user data, like keystroke patterns and biometric information, which critics argue goes beyond what is needed for the app to function properly. There is concern that this data could be exploited by the Chinese government or other malicious actors. TikTok claims it stores American user data on servers in the US and Singapore, but given the app’s ties to China, some experts believe the data could still be compromised.
Censorship and Propaganda
There is considerable evidence that TikTok censors content critical of China and spreads Chinese state propaganda. According to a report by The Guardian, TikTok instructs its moderators to censor videos that mention Tiananmen Square, Tibetan independence, or the banned religious group Falun Gong1. Moderators are also told to censor political themes in live streams. Additionally, TikTok has blocked videos about human rights abuses against Uyghurs in Xinjiang and disabled accounts belonging to Uyghur users2.
There are also concerns that TikTok spreads Chinese propaganda by promoting pro-Beijing accounts and demoting content with anti-Chinese narratives. For example, accounts run by Chinese state media outlets such as CGTN and China Daily have large followings on TikTok. Meanwhile, accounts belonging to Falun Gong members and Uyghur activists have reported their content being suppressed on the platform2. This type of algorithmic censorship allows China to project soft power and advance its geopolitical interests through TikTok.
Impact on US Youth
TikTok has a massive base of young users in the United States. As of January 2023, around 74% of TikTok users are between the ages of 10 and 29 as per https://www.businessofapps.com/data/tik-tok-statistics/. This presents opportunities for social media marketing, but also risks in terms of foreign influence and impact on mental health.
There are concerns that TikTok’s Chinese ownership could allow for manipulation or censorship of content shown to American youth. TikTok has downplayed these concerns, but given the large youth userbase in the US, many feel TikTok poses risks for propaganda, political polarization, and foreign meddling in US democracy. This is especially worrying given research showing potential harms of heavy TikTok use on teen mental health.
More study is needed, but the massive youth following on TikTok in America presents unique risks that policymakers argue require oversight and safeguards.
US Government Action
The US government has taken steps to restrict TikTok over national security concerns related to its Chinese ownership. In 2020, then-President Trump signed an executive order to ban TikTok unless it was sold to an American company. However, legal challenges blocked the ban from taking effect.
In December 2022, Congress passed the “No TikTok on Government Devices Act,” which bans TikTok from being downloaded on government-issued devices. As the bill’s sponsor Senator Josh Hawley stated, “TikTok threatens America’s national security. It harvests swaths of sensitive data that new reports show are being accessed in Beijing.” [1]
The federal government has also issued interim rules banning TikTok on devices used for government contracting, citing an “unacceptable level of risk.” [2] However, these policies don’t restrict individual government employees or citizens from using TikTok on personal devices.
Some policymakers have called for a comprehensive nationwide ban, while others argue for targeted restrictions. Ongoing debates weigh civil liberties, economic costs, enforcement challenges, and just how serious the threat posed by TikTok actually is. But the federal government agrees additional action is needed, even if a total ban seems unlikely.
TikTok’s Defenses
TikTok has claimed in congressional hearings and media interviews that U.S. user data is stored in Virginia with a backup in Singapore and is not subject to Chinese law.[1] TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before the House Energy and Commerce committee that the Chinese government has never requested access to U.S. user data.[1]
The company has made efforts to distance itself from its Chinese ownership, setting up TikTok US as a distinct entity with an American CEO. TikTok claims that the algorithm and moderation policies for US users are managed entirely within the United States.
Assessing the Threat Level
While many Americans perceive TikTok as a threat to national security, analysis of the actual risks versus public perception shows the severity of the risks is debatable. TikTok collects large amounts of user data and has ties to China through its parent company ByteDance, but many US technology firms like Facebook and Google also collect substantial user data. Critics argue TikTok’s data could be exploited by the Chinese government, but researchers have found TikTok’s code does not contain overt security risks. The app does censor content in line with Chinese government directives, but platforms like Facebook and Twitter also moderate content. Overall, the actual security risks posed specifically by TikTok are similar in nature to existing social media platforms, though the public perception of risk is heightened due to TikTok’s China ties.
Other countries like India and Australia have identified risks with TikTok and taken action to block it, setting precedent for regulating technology platforms that pose threats. But analysis suggests the risks must be carefully weighed against the impacts of restricting platforms used by millions of Americans. Like with security debates around technologies like facial recognition, policymakers should consider balanced approaches that address substantiated threats while upholding civil liberties.
Policy Recommendations
Based on the concerns outlined, there are several policy options the US government could consider to address the potential national security risks posed by TikTok:
Require a security audit – The US government could mandate that TikTok undergo an independent security audit to ensure user data and content moderation practices meet adequate privacy and security standards (TikTok Policies).
Enforce transparency – TikTok could be required to publicly disclose its content moderation guidelines, data collection policies, and ties to China to enable users and regulators to make informed decisions (Community Guidelines).
Appoint government oversight – A government agency could be granted oversight authority to routinely review TikTok’s data security protections, content moderation practices, and compliance with US laws (TikTok Policies).
Ban government use – The government could prohibit federal employees from using TikTok on government devices over data privacy concerns, as some agencies have already done.
Divest Chinese ownership – The US could require TikTok to cut ties with its parent company ByteDance to alleviate concerns over Chinese government influence.
Block app downloads – As a last resort, the US could attempt to ban TikTok from app stores over unresolved national security risks, although a similar proposed ban in India was overturned.
Implementing tailored policies could help address specific risks while preserving TikTok as an online platform for creativity and expression.
Conclusion
TikTok’s ties to China and its parent company ByteDance have raised understandable concerns about data privacy, censorship, and potential propaganda. However, the evidence so far does not conclusively point to TikTok being a major national security threat to the US. While TikTok collects user data like many social media platforms, there is no evidence yet that it collects more sensitive data or shares it with the Chinese government. TikTok does censor some content in line with Chinese laws, but this appears localized to China and has not impacted US users. There are also worries that TikTok could be used to influence US users or spread pro-China narratives, but its content moderation seems more focused on removing controversial political content.
At the same time, TikTok’s rise to popularity among American teens and its Chinese ownership warrant extra scrutiny from US regulators. Increased transparency from TikTok through independent audits could help assure users and policymakers. Reasonable data security and censorship safeguards for US users are appropriate. However, an outright ban of TikTok would be an extreme measure given current evidence, and could set a concerning precedent for singling out individual tech companies over their country of origin. With prudent oversight and engagement with TikTok, the US can likely safeguard any potential national security risks while allowing Americans to continue using a highly popular platform.
