Some Biden administration officials cited security concerns over TikTok to push for the sale of the US operations of the Chinese-owned social media app.
According to the officials, selling the US operations of TikTok will ensure that Beijing cannot use the app for espionage and political influence, as per The Wall Street Journal.
Representatives of Pentagon, Justice Department Push for the Forced Sale
The idea of TikTok US operation's forced sale was raised during the discussion of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS). It's an interagency government panel that has been working on the negotiation with TikTok for more than two years.
The panel is trying to ensure that the social media app's data and operations are free from the interference of the Chinese government, according to CNET.
Representatives from Pentagon and Justice Department on the panel are the ones pushing for the forced sale.
They cited their concern that the Chinese government could possibly use the social media app to access the data of American users.
In addition, the representatives worry that China can dictate the contents being shown or not shown on a platform. They say that through this, the Chinese government can influence US popular opinion.
According to them, the issues can only be addressed by separating TikTok from the Chinese company that owns it, ByteDance.
However, the Treasury Department, which chairs the panel, is worried that the court might overturn such an order. With this, the representative is looking for other possible solutions.
Meanwhile, CFIUS experts say the panel could make a recommendation to the president.
The president is the one who has the authority to force the sale of TikTok by its Chinese owners for it to continue operating in the US.
As of writing, the White House has not issued a statement regarding the continuing CFIUS case.
Read Also: Georgia Now Among 11 States to Ban TikTok from Government-Owned Devices
Biden Administration is Pressured to Resolve Security Concerns Related to TikTok
In the US, TikTok is used by more than 100 million Americans. Businesses are also utilizing the platform as a way to connect with customers.
However, the app's Chinese ownership has been putting pressure on the Biden administration to resolve security concerns.
The US President promised to lay down a comprehensive plan to address the security risk from TikTok and other apps which are based in adversarial nations. But he has yet to deliver them.
In recent weeks, national security concerns over TikTok have grown. Based on a report earlier this month, because of national security concerns, the negotiations between the Biden administration and the app over its US operations would be put on hold.
Recently, some states, such as Virginia and Georgia, banned TikTok on government-issued devices or networks.
Following the mandates of state governors, some universities in Georgia, Oklahoma, and Alabama also restricted the use of the app on campus computers and networks.
Consistently, TikTok has been saying that it would never share user data with the Chinese government.
Last Thursday, the company said it had fired employees and employed tightened protocols after finding out that the said employees improperly accessed the data of some journalists.
TikTok declined to comment on the possibility of a forced sale. According to the company, it believes it can address the concerns of the US government.
The issue of TikTok's ownership and national security is not new. Previously, the Trump administration also pushed for banning the social media app in the US.
Related Article: FCC Commissioner Asks US Government to Ban TikTok in the Country
