Categories: Tech

TIK’D OFF: Is national security harmed when Congress uses TikTok? Americans weigh in

People in the Lone Star state weighed in on whether members of Congress jeopardize national security by using the Chinese-owned video app TikTok. 

“Absolutely,” Nav, who recently moved to Austin from Toronto, told Fox News. “They shouldn’t have it on their devices at all.”

WATCH: TEXANS SOUND OFF ON CONGRESS USING TIKTOK

Video

WATCH MORE FOX NEWS DIGITAL ORIGINALS HERE

But Michael disagreed.

“Not necessarily at this particular time,” the Austin resident said.

Congress recently passed a bill that included a provision that bans executive branch employees from downloading TikTok on their government devices over concerns that the Chinese-owned app threatens national security. More than a dozen states have issued similar restrictions.

But some congressional Democrats — such as Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Jamaal Bowman of New York — still use TikTok despite the legislature’s concerns.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) maintains an active TikTok presence. 
(Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

“Congressmen and women are in a vulnerable situation if they have the app on their phone because China can be tracking them,” Lisa, who was visiting Austin from Melbourne, Australia, told Fox News.

But a Dallas-Fort Worth area resident said “it really depends on what they’re posting.”

LAWMAKERS RAMP UP WARNINGS ABOUT TIKTOK, CALL FOR NATIONAL BAN: ‘THIS IS DIGITAL FENTANYL’

Bronte said she felt Congress should also be subject to the TikTok ban. 

“It’s weird to just have that one branch have it banned from them,” she said.

Michael agreed.

“Especially with Congress — but even their staffers — the Congress people are sending messages and information and are exchanging information back and forth,” he told Fox News.

TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, says its user data is not shared with the Chinese government. 
(Zheng Shuai/VCG via Getty Images)

TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has maintained that its user data is not subject to a Chinese law that forces companies to submit internal data to the state upon request. FBI Director Christopher Wray recently warned that the app could be used for Chinese influence operations or to compromise devices.

ByteDance has also used TikTok to track journalists’ locations, Forbes reported in December.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Nav supported a blanket ban of TikTok from the personal and work-issued devices of all federal employees.

“It’s too easy for them to be tracked,” he said. “And with China having access to all that data, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

To watch more people weigh in on members of Congress using TikTok, click here.

Share

Recent Posts

Entire police department resigns leaving South Carolina community without law enforcement presence

close Video Town's former police chief explains why entire department resigned Former Geary, Oklahoma, Police…

12 minutes ago

Wrong-way driver arrested after striking multiple vehicles, shootout with police officer: ‘He’s got a gun!’

close Video Wrong-way driver caught on video firing rifle at officer at striking multiple vehicles…

13 minutes ago

Blinken questioned for State Department hosting in-house therapy sessions after Trump win

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., took aim at Secretary of State Antony Blinken after it was…

33 minutes ago

Fetterman admits Dems ‘sort of lost ourselves’ on key election issue

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., acknowledged that Democrats had a major problem when it came to…

3 hours ago

Sanctuary states, cities should explain to DOGE why they deserve federal money: MTG

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., on Sunday said leaders of sanctuary states and cities should…

3 hours ago

Manchin slams ‘17 educated idiots’ that were advising Biden during COVID

Outgoing Independent West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin slammed some of the advice President Biden received…

3 hours ago