US Legislators Want TikTok's Chinese Owners To Divest 

Uploaded on 2024-04-24 in TECHNOLOGY-Key Areas-Social Media, NEWS-Cybersecurity News, INTELLIGENCE-Hot Spots-China, GOVERNMENT-National, FREE TO VIEW

US politicians from both major parties have introduced a new bill which would ban TikTok unless owner ByteDance agrees to sell the app to a non-Chinese company. Many legislators contend that the app could allow the Chinese government to access user data and influence Americans through the wildly popular social media platform’s addictive algorithm. Nearly half the US population - around 170 million Americans - use TikTok. 

The White House has backed the bill, with President Joe Biden saying he would sign it if it passes Congress.

TikTok is not an US company, which is the reason why the US House of Representatives passed a bill on Saturday 20th April 2024 with broad support that would force the Chinese owners of the video-app to either sell to a non-Chinese owner or face a ban. 

Consequently, TikTok could be banned in the US if the social media app's Chinese owner doesn't sell its stake after the House of Representatives voted in support of the measure.

US politicians say the social media platform is a national security threat and that the Chinese government could require the owner, ByteDance, to disclose sensitive US user data or influence content on the app to serve its interests.

If the bill becomes law, the Chinese owner of the popular video-sharing app will have nine months to sell its stake, with a possible three-month extension while a sale is in progress, or face a ban. However, The quickest way for the US to ban TikTok would be to remove it from app stores, such as those operated by Apple and Google for iOS and Android devices.

In a statement, TikTok said: "It is unfortunate that the House of Representatives is using the cover of important foreign and humanitarian assistance to once again jam through a ban bill that would trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, devastate seven million businesses, and shutter a platform that contributes $24bn  to the US economy, annually."

Unlike Instagram, Facebook or Snapchat, TikTok is not built around social connections and offers short form entertainment video. Although financial details are unavailable, it is understood that its current business model is unprofitable.

In comment, Keiron Holyome, VP UKI and Emerging Markets at BlackBerry said “Continued calls for action on TikTok ownership further highlights the risk of employees using unsecured applications and personal devices for work purposes.... Our research last August found that 75% of tech decision-makers in the UK had implemented or were considering a ban on recreational apps across BYO and/or corporate devices."

“If you’re not managing your corporate applications effectively, then it’s not only the personal data that’s potentially at risk, but corporate client sensitive data as well." Holyome added.  

Image: Mourizal Zativa

NYT    |   Sky   |    APNews   |   BBC   |   ABC   |   APNews   |   AlJazeera   |   WHYY    | 

You Might Also Read: 

EU Threatens TikTok Lite With Suspension:

___________________________________________________________________________________________

If you like this website and use the comprehensive 6,500-plus service supplier Directory, you can get unrestricted access, including the exclusive in-depth Directors Report series, by signing up for a Premium Subscription.

  • Individual £5 per month or £50 per year. Sign Up
  • Multi-User, Corporate & Library Accounts Available on Request

Cyber Security Intelligence: Captured Organised & Accessible

 

« Four Ways To Overcome Cyber Security Career Challenges
Defending Your Supply Chain From Cyber Threats »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81
Cyrin

Real Attacks. Real Tools. Real Scenarios.
Schedule a demo

Go Cyber

Training that transforms behaviours

Sign Up: Cyber Security Intelligence Newsletter

Directory of Suppliers

Perimeter 81 / How to Select the Right ZTNA Solution

Perimeter 81 / How to Select the Right ZTNA Solution

Gartner insights into How to Select the Right ZTNA offering. Download this FREE report for a limited time only.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence.

CYRIN

CYRIN

CYRIN® Cyber Range. Real Tools, Real Attacks, Real Scenarios. See why leading educational institutions and companies in the U.S. have begun to adopt the CYRIN® system.

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout enables cyber security professionals to reduce cyber risk to their organization with proactive security solutions, providing immediate improvement in security posture and ROI.

Clayden Law

Clayden Law

Clayden Law advise global businesses that buy and sell technology products and services. We are experts in information technology, data privacy and cybersecurity law.

ASIS International

ASIS International

ASIS International is a global community of security practitioners with a role in the protection of assets - people, property, and/or information.

ISO Quality Services Ltd

ISO Quality Services Ltd

ISO Quality Services is an independent organisation that specialises in the implementation, certification and continued auditing of ISO and BS EN Management Standards including ISO 27001..

APWG

APWG

APWG is the international coalition unifying the global response to cybercrime across industry, government, law-enforcement and NGO communities.

Singapore Cybersecurity Consortium

Singapore Cybersecurity Consortium

Singapore Cybersecurity Consortium was created to encourage use-inspired research, training and technology awareness in cybersecurity.

Texplained

Texplained

Texplained specializes in security audits of microchips to identify vulnerabilities and protect against invasive cyber attacks.

Exabeam

Exabeam

Exabeam is a global cybersecurity leader that delivers AI-driven security operations.

IDpendant

IDpendant

IDpendant offers a wide range of services, including authentication technology, client security products, single sign on systems, encryption solutions, card and mobile device management systems.

StackRox

StackRox

StackRox delivers a container-native security platform that adapts detection and response to new threats.

Xilinx

Xilinx

Xilinx is the inventor of the FPGA, programmable SoCs, and now, the ACAP. We are building the Adaptable, Intelligent World.

Evalian

Evalian

Evalian is a data protection services provider. Working with organisations of all sizes, we specialise in Data Protection, GDPR, ISO Certification & Information Security.

ProLion

ProLion

ProLion provides Data Integrity solutions that ensure organisations’ data remains secure, compliant, manageable and accessible.

Theta432

Theta432

THETA432 is a cybersecurity firm that provides 24/7/365 managed prevention, detection, response, Hybrid SOC, cyber defense monitoring services with dynamically defined defense (3D™).

Hexagon

Hexagon

Hexagon is a global leader in digital reality solutions. We are putting data to work to boost efficiency, productivity, quality and safety.

Logiq Consulting

Logiq Consulting

Logiq Consulting provide a full range of Cyber Security, Information Assurance and System Engineering services.

Invisily

Invisily

Invisily makes enterprise and cloud computing resources invisible to attackers with zero trust solutions, making them visible only when needed to only those who need them.

Cyber Guards

Cyber Guards

Cyber Guards provide comprehensive, turn-key cyber security programs for small and mid-size business for about the cost of one full-time cybersecurity hire.