US FBI Chief Chris Wray raises his concerns about the national operation of the Chinese-owned content creation platform TikTok.
Wray told lawmakers on Tuesday that he is extremely concerned about the possible national security threat brought about by China's influence, CNet writes.
The Director's Concern Is Over A Proposed Deal To Keep TikTok Operating In The US
In recent days, the government of the US has expressed its concerns about Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter, wanting to investigate the billionaire's deals with other countries.
However, it seems like Twitter is not the content-sharing platform raising red flags in the government as TikTok is now receiving its share of criticism.
In a Bloomberg report, the FBI chief voiced out that he is wary of the popular social media app and the threats it potentially poses to the country's national security.
This is due to the proposal to keep the Chinese-owned video-sharing app operational in the US, which the Committee on Foreign Investments is currently overseeing.
Wray warned the Committee about the possibility of Americans' data getting controlled and collected, even warning that China can control the algorithm to influence operations on devices.
This echoes FCC Commissioner Brian Carr's statement, which claimed that TikTok is just another surveillance tool used to harvest a huge number of sensitive personal data.
The FBI director also emphasized that under Chinese law, companies are required to do what the Chinese government asks them to, which can include sharing user information.
Wray told the House Homeland Security Committee that there are plenty of reasons to be extremely concerned about TikTok's operations as it can serve as a tool of the Chinese government.
Read More: FCC Commissioner Asks US Government to Ban TikTok in the Country
TikTok Is A Double-Edged Sword For Citizens in The US
The video streaming app has emerged at the center of national security concerns debate, but it is undeniable that it was key to reaching young voters in the recent elections.
Because of this, despite numerous criticisms being raised about TikTok for its association with China, the Biden administration is still considering letting the platform continue operating in the country.
The administration is looking to partner with TikTok's parent company ByteDance Ltd.. to arrange its operations, including routing the US user traffic through US-based databases and servers.
However, the deal has stalled over national security concerns as China is expected to make changes to the agreement regarding the ban or the sale of the social media platform.
With this, Bloomberg reports that Congress is still weighing the pros and cons of the legislation that could possibly ban TikTok from all devices, especially government phones.
While the Biden government is taking measures to ensure the data safety of Americans, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco still believes that the agreement is not enough to keep users' data private.
According to CNet, as of writing, it is unclear whether the video content platform will get banned or when it will happen, or whether it will keep operating inside the US in accordance with the deal.
While TikTok did not comment on the specifics of the discussions with the US, a spokesperson of the company assured the public that they are putting Wray's concerns into consideration.
Related Article: TikTok Says Data Aren't Used to Track Or 'Target' US Citizens
