FBI warns of possible Chinese regime's computer control through TikTok

"The Chinese government could use it to control data collection on millions of users" said Federal Bureau Director Christopher Wray.

Tiktok from a telephone screen. — (Flickr -Solen Feyissa)

Published by

Alejandro Baños

16 de noviembre, 2022

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China could use its social network TikTok, owned by the private company ByteDance, to monitor personal data of millions of U.S. users. FBI Director Christopher Wray made this statement during his appearance before the House Homeland Security Committee, adding that the Beijing regime could control the recommendation algorithm to influence citizens:

We do have national security concerns at least from the FBI's end about TikTok. They include the possibility that the Chinese government could use it to control data collection on millions of users or control the recommendation algorithm, which could be used for influence operations. If they so chose or to control software on millions of devices, which gives that opportunity to potentially technically compromise personal devices. So there's a number of concerns there.

Wray affirmed that social media and technological evolution open up new avenues of threats to national security and Americans:

Foreign malign influence is not a new problem, but the interconnectedness of the modern world, combined with the anonymity of the Internet, have changed the nature of the threat and how the FBI and its partners must address it. Foreign malign influence operations have taken many forms and used many tactics over the years. Most widely reported these days are attempts by adversaries—hoping to reach a wide swath of Americans covertly from outside the United States—to amplify existing stories on social media in an attempt to discredit U.S. individuals and institutions.

TikTok's response

In 2020, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) asked ByteDance to divest itself of TikTok to safeguard national security and protect the data of millions of U.S. citizens from the Chinese Communist regime. On the other hand, the Department of Commerce issued an order against TikTok for posing a threat to the United States. For these reasons, TikTok's Chief Operating Officer, Vanessa Pappas stated at a Senate appearance in September that the social network takes its users’ security very seriously:

I take to heart the responsibility to uphold TikTok as a safe, secure, and welcoming space for our community.

On the other hand, Pappas assured that the agreement to protect users' personal data between TikTok and the United States is on track:

We're making progress toward a final agreement with the U.S. government to further safeguard U.S. user data and address national security interests.