This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
On July 6, 2020, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hinted at the possibility of banning Chinese social media apps, including TikTok, during an interview with Fox News' Laura Ingraham.
Pompeo stated that the US is 'looking at' banning Chinese social media apps, citing concerns over the potential risks to national security. He emphasized that the US will 'get this one right too,' but stopped short of making a definitive statement.
His comments come amidst a backdrop of escalating tensions between the US and China, which have spilled over into various areas, including national security, trade, and technology.
TikTok, owned by Beijing-based startup ByteDance, has been repeatedly criticized by US politicians who accuse the app of being a threat to national security due to its ties to China. They allege that the company could be compelled to 'support and cooperate with intelligence work controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.'
TikTok has responded to these allegations, stating that it operates separately from ByteDance and that its data centers are located entirely outside of China. The company claims that none of its user data is subject to Chinese law, and that US user data is stored in the United States, with a backup in Singapore.
Despite these assurances, the US government remains concerned about the potential risks associated with TikTok. The app has exploded in popularity in the US and other Western countries, becoming the first Chinese social media platform to gain significant traction with users outside of its home country.
Other countries, including India, have also taken steps to restrict or ban TikTok due to concerns over national security and data protection.
