WASHINGTON — The Justice Department has expressed concerns that TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, could be manipulated to interfere with U.S. politics, according to a recent court filing. This alarm raises the stakes in an ongoing legal battle over whether the popular video-sharing app could continue operating under its Chinese parent company or face a ban due to national security risks.
Prosecutors argue that the app’s algorithms could potentially be used by the Chinese government to covertly sway public opinion in the United States, influencing political outcomes and discussions under the guise of benign social networking. Such capabilities pose “an unacceptable threat to national security,” particularly if China deems certain U.S. electoral outcomes critical to its interests.
The filing was a response to a lawsuit by TikTok challenging a U.S. law signed by President Joe Biden in April. The legislation mandates that TikTok sever its ties with ByteDance by mid-January 2025 or face a total ban. This response from the Justice Department underlines the first formal counter by the government in court against TikTok’s legal pushback.
TikTok and ByteDance have criticized the U.S. government’s actions as unconstitutional, arguing that they infringe on free speech rights and restrict Americans’ access to a global online community. Their lawsuit marks a significant confrontation over whether national security concerns regarding TikTok’s links to China can override the First Amendment rights of its 170 million U.S. users.
Historically, U.S. officials have warned that TikTok’s connection to China could allow Beijing access to American users’ data, potentially monitoring their locations, viewing habits, and personal communications. Such data collection, as noted by the Justice Department, extends even to contacts in users’ phones who do not use the app themselves.
The Justice Department’s filing also highlights concerns about TikTok’s data practices that could target vulnerable groups such as teenagers, who represent a significant portion of its user base. U.S. prosecutors say ByteDance could sell TikTok to an American company, which would allow the app to operate without these looming security threats.
Addressing broader technological risks, senior justice officials have voiced worries about the People’s Republic of China (PRC) utilizing technology, like mobile apps and software, as tools of state power. They emphasize that Chinese national security laws compel companies within China to surrender sensitive data to the government, a policy that could affect global users.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco previously cautioned against TikTok usage, citing the obligatory compliance of businesses in China with these state security laws. Her advice reflects broader security concerns among U.S. officials, who gestured at the potential for the Chinese government to collect, censor, or promote specific content to further its own ends.
While these allegations are contested by TikTok, asserting no such manipulation has occurred stateside, the revelation of tools used in China to suppress various contents online intensifies scrutiny over TikTok’s operations. Moreover, concerns are not just about content but also about the software’s inherent capabilities, suggesting possible clandestine promotional or suppressive activities that could significantly influence public discourse in America.
In summary, the legal and political skirmish over TikTok not only encapsulates tensions between the U.S. and China over technology and data privacy but also places American principles of free speech and national security in stark opposition. As the lawsuit progresses, it may set a precedent for how U.S. laws apply to foreign-owned technology firms and the balance between global digital engagement and homeland security.