The Congress is currently debating the potential ban of the Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok due to potential national security risks. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently argued against the ban, claiming that the US has never banned a social media company before and shifted the focus to US legislation, claiming that major social media companies are allowed to collect personal data about users without any significant regulation. In response, a senior member of New York’s congressional delegation jokingly told that AOC stands for “Ambassador of China”. The Department of Justice is also investigating claims that the company spied on US Tech journalists.
TikTok is already banned on Federal government devices and is not allowed in China. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew was grilled recently by lawmakers at a House hearing.
Due to security concerns, Congress also considers banning Chinese-designed VPN apps. These VPNs create a virtual tunnel through the internet to hide a user’s virtual and physical location, however experts have warned that the apps can see user data themselves. Sen. Two Democrats, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon and the Rep. Anna G. G. Eshoo of California, asked the Federal Trade Commission to take action against the deceptive VPNs, but there has been little outcry from other members of Congress. A bipartisan bill - introduced by Sens. Mark R. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) and John Thune (R-S.D. ) and endorsed by the White House would require the Commerce Department to evaluate foreign tech and recommend that President imposes bans.
Google Play and Apple’s App Store present similar issues, with several of the top 10 results for “VPN” in a recent search connecting to Chinese companies. Apple and Google profit from VPN apps by taking a cut of the sale price and selling advertisements. Consumer advocates say the companies should be keeping out the more questionable VPNs, especially those that violate the company’s policies against obscuring ownership or misleading users about privacy.
The Congress is in a difficult position. TikTok and Chinese-designed VPN apps could potentially be a security risk, yet banning them would be a significant move and could further strain relations between China and the US. As of yet no decision has been made.