US says China can spy with TikTok. It spies on world with Google
1 year, 9 months ago

US says China can spy with TikTok. It spies on world with Google

Al Jazeera  

Lawmakers’ push to ban the app comes as they mull extending powers that force tech firms to facilitate mass snooping for the United States. US President Joe Biden’s administration is pushing for both the power to ban TikTok and the renewal of Section 702, which it has described as an “invaluable tool that continues to protect Americans every day”. Despite Tiktok’s efforts to assuage national security and privacy fears, including working with US tech giant Oracle to store American data on US soil in a $1.5bn initiative known as “Project Texas”, a ban or forced sale of ByteDance’s stake appears increasingly likely amid growing bipartisan antipathy toward the app in Congress. “They’re making a big stink about TikTok and the Chinese collecting data when the US is collecting a great deal of data itself,” Jonathan Hafetz, an expert on US constitutional law and national security at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, told Al Jazeera. When cybersecurity officials in the US state of Connecticut last year reached out to the FBI for advice on whether to ban the app on government devices, an agent reported back that inquiries with HQ indicated that bans introduced in other states appeared to be based “on news reports and other open-source information about China in general, not specific to Tik Tok.” “The big concern there that people seem to have is that the Chinese government can access data on servers like it has in the past, or that that data may be misused,” Cooper Quintin, a senior staff technologist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told Al Jazeera.

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History of this topic

TikTok ban: Why the ByteDance app might actually get banned from the U.S.
1 day, 9 hours ago

TikTok ban: Why the ByteDance app might actually get banned from the U.S.

Slate  

This article was republished from the Rip Current by Jacob Ward and has been lightly edited for Slate. In fact, as the Supreme Court prepares to take up the question of TikTok’s continued existence in the United States on Friday, around the world the executives of dozens of companies, having read the headlines, are undoubtedly waking up sweating in the …

Banning TikTok won’t solve your data-security problem
Trending News
3 days, 6 hours ago

Banning TikTok won’t solve your data-security problem

Live Mint  

During last year’s presidential campaign, Kamala Harris regularly posted on TikTok, encouraging voters to follow her on the platform, as did Joe Biden before he withdrew. he wrote on Truth Social last week, above a bar graph that showed his TikTok views outpacing not only Ms. Harris’s but also those of Tucker Carlson and Taylor Swift. As Scientific American reported …

Why does the US want to ban TikTok: List of allegations against the app
1 month ago

Why does the US want to ban TikTok: List of allegations against the app

Hindustan Times  

A US federal appeals court has upheld a law mandating that ByteDance, the Chinese company behind the popular short-video app TikTok, must divest its US operations by early next year or face a potential ban. TikTok has said "an entity affiliated with the Chinese government owns 1% of a ByteDance subsidiary, Douyin Information Service," and says the holding "has no …

Trump led the charge to ban TikTok. Now he says he’ll save it
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Trump led the charge to ban TikTok. Now he says he’ll save it

Al Jazeera  

Trump has pledged to ‘save’ popular Chinese-owned app despite signing an order to ban it during his first term. On the campaign trail, Trump, who signed an executive order seeking to ban the app during his first term, pledged to “save TikTok” but neither he nor his transition team have disclosed further details about what this might mean for ByteDance. …

TikTok’s Defense Strategy Involves Throwing Shein and Temu Under the Bus
3 months, 2 weeks ago

TikTok’s Defense Strategy Involves Throwing Shein and Temu Under the Bus

Wired  

TikTok went all out to defend itself in a court hearing last Monday, to block a law that could force TikTok to be sold or banned in the United States. Earlier this year, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which aims to prevent national security threats from apps like TikTok, took less than two months to pass …

The showdown between the Justice Department and TikTok
3 months, 3 weeks ago

The showdown between the Justice Department and TikTok

NPR  

The showdown between the Justice Department and TikTok TikTok is in federal court to argue the ban Congress passed against the company is unconstitutional. Well, TikTok's legal team argued before a three-judge panel in Federal Appeals Court here in Washington, and they argued that the app is being unfairly singled out. A justice lawyer said the government worries about TikTok …

US Govt Lawyers Say TikTok Collected User Data Around Specific Subjects: All Details
5 months, 1 week ago

US Govt Lawyers Say TikTok Collected User Data Around Specific Subjects: All Details

News 18  

WASHINGTON: In a fresh broadside against one of the world’s most popular technology companies, the Justice Department is accusing TikTok of harnessing the capability to gather bulk information on users based on views on divisive social issues like gun control, abortion and religion. TikTok employees used Lark to send sensitive data about U.S. users, information that has wound up being …

TikTok collected user views on abortion and gun control, U.S. Justice Department says
5 months, 1 week ago

TikTok collected user views on abortion and gun control, U.S. Justice Department says

The Hindu  

In a fresh broadside against one of the world’s most popular technology companies, the Justice Department is accusing TikTok of harnessing the capability to gather bulk information on users based on views on divisive social issues like gun control, abortion and religion. TikTok employees used Lark to send sensitive data about U.S. users, information that has wound up being stored …

TikTok collected views of US users on abortion, gun control: Justice Department
5 months, 1 week ago

TikTok collected views of US users on abortion, gun control: Justice Department

India Today  

In a fresh broadside against one of the world’s most popular technology companies, the Justice Department is accusing TikTok of harnessing the capability to gather bulk information on users based on views on divisive social issues like gun control, abortion and religion. TikTok employees used Lark to send sensitive data about US users, information that has wound up being stored …

US Government Accuses TikTok Of Collecting User Views On Issues Like Abortion And Gun Control
5 months, 2 weeks ago

US Government Accuses TikTok Of Collecting User Views On Issues Like Abortion And Gun Control

News 18  

In a fresh broadside against one of the world’s most popular technology companies, the Justice Department late Friday accused TikTok of harnessing the capability to gather bulk information on users based on views on divisive social issues like gun control, abortion and religion. TikTok employees used Lark to send sensitive data about U.S. users, information that has wound up being …

Justice Department defends law calling for TikTok to change ownership or face ban
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Justice Department defends law calling for TikTok to change ownership or face ban

NPR  

Justice Department defends law calling for TikTok to change ownership or face ban An update on the US government's new TikTok law. LUCAS: In its filing, the Justice Department defends this law, says it is necessary because of long-running national security concerns about TikTok. The department also filed sworn declarations from senior national security officials, and those say that TikTok …

Justice Department says TikTok collected U.S. user views on issues like abortion and gun control
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Justice Department says TikTok collected U.S. user views on issues like abortion and gun control

LA Times  

The Justice Department has made new accusations against TikTok, which is owned by Beijing-based parent company ByteDance. In a fresh broadside against one of the world’s most popular technology companies, the Justice Department has accused TikTok of harnessing the capability to gather bulk information on users based on their views about divisive social issues such as gun control, abortion and …

Nation States versus globalization: The question of TikTok bans
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Nation States versus globalization: The question of TikTok bans

Hindustan Times  

With the end of World War II, countries and communities across the globe looked for paradigms, norms, legislations, and mechanisms in general to ensure that the horrors of the two World Wars are never witnessed again. An example of how technology flows can create conflict is that of the bans of the Chinese app TikTok across the world. Concerns that …

TikTok says US refused to engage in serious settlement talks
6 months, 3 weeks ago

TikTok says US refused to engage in serious settlement talks

Al Jazeera  

ByteDance said US government prefers to shut down than work on an ‘effective solution’ to protect US users. Legislation signed in April by President Joe Biden gives ByteDance until January of next year to divest TikTok’s US assets or face a ban on the app used by 170 million Americans. The company also made public a redacted version of a …

Legal experts say a TikTok ban without specific evidence violates the First Amendment
7 months, 4 weeks ago

Legal experts say a TikTok ban without specific evidence violates the First Amendment

NPR  

Legal experts say a TikTok ban without specific evidence violates the First Amendment Enlarge this image toggle caption Michael Dwyer/AP Michael Dwyer/AP Forcing TikTok to shut down its American operations over unspecified national security concerns would represent a violation of the First Amendment, according to six legal scholars surveyed by NPR. Sponsor Message NPR reached out to a host of …

Cyber warfare, influence operations, and TikTok bans
7 months, 4 weeks ago

Cyber warfare, influence operations, and TikTok bans

Hindustan Times  

While a concrete and foolproof solution is yet to emerge on preventing conventional conflicts, a peculiar situation has emerged wherein warfare has become grey zone warfare--somewhere between peace and conflict. Senate in April, passed a legislation giving TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance roughly nine months to divest the US assets of the short video app, or to face a countrywide ban. …

TikTok sues US government over potential ban, argues federal law violates constitution
8 months ago

TikTok sues US government over potential ban, argues federal law violates constitution

Hindustan Times  

TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance sued in U.S. federal court on Tuesday seeking to block a law signed by President Joe Biden that would force the divestiture of the short video app used by 170 million Americans or ban its use. TikTok has denied that it has or ever would share U.S. user data, accusing American lawmakers in …

TikTok may be banned in the US. Here’s what happened when India did it
8 months, 2 weeks ago

TikTok may be banned in the US. Here’s what happened when India did it

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In June 2020, TikTok users in India bid …

TikTok CEO on US restrictions: 'Rest assured - we aren't going anywhere'
8 months, 2 weeks ago

TikTok CEO on US restrictions: 'Rest assured - we aren't going anywhere'

Hindustan Times  

TikTok's chief executive said on Wednesday the social media company expects to win a legal challenge to block legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden that he said would ban its popular short video app used by 170 million Americans. "Rest assured - we aren't going anywhere," CEO Shou Zi Chew said in a video posted moments after Biden …

Bill to ban TikTok in U.S. clears Congress
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Bill to ban TikTok in U.S. clears Congress

Raw Story  

The US Senate on Tuesday approved legislation requiring the wildly popular social media app TikTok to be divested from its Chinese parent company ByteDance or be shut out of the American market. The measure was part of a $95 billion foreign aid package, including military assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, which has now cleared Congress and heads to President …

TikTok ban: Data reveals app wasted millions lobbying US Congress
8 months, 2 weeks ago

TikTok ban: Data reveals app wasted millions lobbying US Congress

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy TikTok spent millions of dollars in a failed attempt to prevent a newly …

TikTok may be banned in the U.S. Here’s what happened when India did it
8 months, 2 weeks ago

TikTok may be banned in the U.S. Here’s what happened when India did it

LA Times  

Activists in Jammu, in Indian-controlled Kashmir, demonstrate in 2020 against Chinese President Xi Jinping next to a banner showing the logos of TikTok and other Chinese apps banned in India. In June 2020, TikTok users in India bid goodbye to the app, which is operated by Chinese internet firm ByteDance. The government cited privacy concerns and said that Chinese apps …

America is a step closer to banning TikTok, but will it work?
8 months, 3 weeks ago

America is a step closer to banning TikTok, but will it work?

ABC  

In short: The US House has again passed a bill that would force Chinese owners of TikTok to sell or face a ban. The US House has again passed a bill that would force Chinese owners of TikTok to sell or face a ban. If it passes and is signed by President Joe Biden, which he has said he would …

TikTok is under investigation by the FTC over data practices and could face a lawsuit
9 months, 2 weeks ago

TikTok is under investigation by the FTC over data practices and could face a lawsuit

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The Federal Trade Commission is investigating TikTok over its data and security practices, a probe that could lead to a settlement or a lawsuit against the company, according to a person familiar with the matter. The investigation is the latest battle in Washington for the social media company, which is already fighting against a federal bill that …

TikTok is under investigation by the FTC over data practices and could face a lawsuit
9 months, 2 weeks ago

TikTok is under investigation by the FTC over data practices and could face a lawsuit

New Indian Express  

NEW YORK: The Federal Trade Commission is investigating TikTok over its data and security practices, a probe that could lead to a settlement or a lawsuit against the company, according to a person familiar with the matter. The investigation is the latest battle in Washington for the social media company, which is already fighting against a federal bill that could …

TikTok and its 'secret sauce' caught in US-China tussle
9 months, 3 weeks ago

TikTok and its 'secret sauce' caught in US-China tussle

New Indian Express  

As a US campaign to sever TikTok from its Chinese parent heads to the Senate, analysts say Beijing's response to a forced sale of the app -- and its 'secret sauce' algorithm -- will be clear: Hands off. Under new legislation that passed the House of Representatives last week, TikTok could be banned in the United States if it does …

U.S. lawmakers see TikTok as China's tool, even as it distances itself from Beijing
9 months, 4 weeks ago

U.S. lawmakers see TikTok as China's tool, even as it distances itself from Beijing

The Hindu  

If some U.S. lawmakers have their way, the United States and China could end up with something in common: TikTok might not be available in either country. "While the U.S. and other Western countries have imposed sanctions or restrictions on these companies, China itself has moved to favour state-owned enterprises in recent years, leaving little room for Chinese tech and …

US lawmakers see TikTok as China’s tool, even as it distances itself from Beijing
9 months, 4 weeks ago

US lawmakers see TikTok as China’s tool, even as it distances itself from Beijing

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — If some U.S. lawmakers have their way, the United States and China could end up with something in common: TikTok might not be available in either country. “While the U.S. and other Western countries have imposed sanctions or restrictions on these companies, China itself has moved to favor state-owned enterprises in recent years, leaving little room for Chinese …

Will the United States ban TikTok?
9 months, 4 weeks ago

Will the United States ban TikTok?

Al Jazeera  

The House passes a bill that could make the Chinese platform unavailable in the country. The future of TikTok is at risk in the United States – with a possible ban being considered in Washington. The popular video-sharing app is used by millions of Americans every day, and is owned by a Chinese company. Republicans and Democrats say there is …

U.S. House passes bill that would lead to a TikTok ban if Chinese owner doesn't sell
9 months, 4 weeks ago

U.S. House passes bill that would lead to a TikTok ban if Chinese owner doesn't sell

The Hindu  

The U.S. House of Representatives on March 13 passed a bill that would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app TikTok if its China-based owner doesn't sell, as lawmakers acted on concerns that the company's current ownership structure is a national security threat. “What we've tried to do here is be very thoughtful and deliberate about the …

U.S. lawmakers say TikTok won't be banned if it finds a new owner. But that's easier said than done
9 months, 4 weeks ago

U.S. lawmakers say TikTok won't be banned if it finds a new owner. But that's easier said than done

The Hindu  

U.S. lawmakers are threatening to ban TikTok but also say they are giving its Chinese parent company a chance to keep it running. While some people have voiced an interest in buying TikTok's U.S. business — among them “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary — there are a number of challenges including a 6-month deadline to get it done. “As you …

House passes a bill that could lead to a TikTok ban if Chinese owner refuses to sell
9 months, 4 weeks ago

House passes a bill that could lead to a TikTok ban if Chinese owner refuses to sell

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The House on Wednesday passed a bill that would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app TikTok if its China-based owner doesn’t sell its stake, as lawmakers acted on concerns that the company’s current ownership structure is a national security threat. House passes a bill that could lead to a TikTok ban if Chinese owner …

US House passes bill that would ban TikTok amid national security concerns
9 months, 4 weeks ago

US House passes bill that would ban TikTok amid national security concerns

Al Jazeera  

The bill now heads to an uncertain future in the Senate, though President Biden has pledged to sign it if it passes. The United States House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed a bill that could eventually ban the social media platform TikTok in the country, in its latest salvo against both China and big tech. “The choice is TikTok’s.” Opponents …

US lawmakers say TikTok won’t be banned if it finds a new owner. But that’s easier said than done
9 months, 4 weeks ago

US lawmakers say TikTok won’t be banned if it finds a new owner. But that’s easier said than done

Associated Press  

U.S. lawmakers are threatening to ban TikTok but also say they are giving its Chinese parent company a chance to keep it running. While some people have voiced an interest in buying TikTok’s U.S. business — among them “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary — there are a number of challenges including a 6-month deadline to get it done. The bill …

Top Boss of US Intelligence claims China used TikTok to influence US voters
9 months, 4 weeks ago

Top Boss of US Intelligence claims China used TikTok to influence US voters

Firstpost  

ODNi or the Office of the Director of National Intelligence claims that China or Chinese citizens have been using TikTok not just interfere with the presidential elections, but to also transform public opinion on China’s aggression. Image Credit: Reuters The American intelligence community has issued a warning stating that China’s government utilised the popular video-sharing platform TikTok to influence recent …

US lawmakers advance bill to force TikTok to cut ties with Chinese owner
10 months ago

US lawmakers advance bill to force TikTok to cut ties with Chinese owner

Al Jazeera  

Critics say Beijing could force video-sharing app to share data on its US users and spread propaganda. Lawmakers in the United States are moving ahead with proposals to ban TikTok unless it cuts ties with its Chinese parent company amid claims the platform could be used to spy on Americans and manipulate public opinion. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said …

Tiktok to be banned in US? New bill forces ByteDance to divest from Chinese-app or risk...
10 months ago

Tiktok to be banned in US? New bill forces ByteDance to divest from Chinese-app or risk...

Hindustan Times  

US lawmakers recently presented a bill that would oblige Chinese tech giant ByteDance to divest from widely used video-sharing app TikTok within six months or face a ban. The US House Committee on Energy and Commerce on Thursday is expected to hold a legislative hearing and vote on the bill that aims to ban TikTok, The White House called the …

TikTok Faces U.S. Ban in New Draft Bill
10 months ago

TikTok Faces U.S. Ban in New Draft Bill

Live Mint  

TikTok, the short-video platform owned by Chinese internet company ByteDance, is facing renewed political pressure in the U.S. from a draft bill that could lead to a ban of its popular video-sharing app. The bill, introduced by Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher, who leads the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, and Democrat Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, addresses “foreign adversary-controlled …

U.S. cannot be the last nation to ban Chinese app TikTok, says Republican presidential aspirant Nikki Haley
10 months, 3 weeks ago

U.S. cannot be the last nation to ban Chinese app TikTok, says Republican presidential aspirant Nikki Haley

The Hindu  

Describing Chinese-owned app TikTok as dangerous, U.S. Republican presidential aspirant Nikki Haley has said that when countries like India and Nepal have banned this social media platform, the U.S. cannot be the last nation to do the same. According to Pew Research data released in late 2023, about a third of 18-29 year-olds in the U.S. said they regularly get …

Joe Biden's campaign joins TikTok, even as administration warns of national security concerns with app
10 months, 4 weeks ago

Joe Biden's campaign joins TikTok, even as administration warns of national security concerns with app

The Hindu  

President Joe Biden's 2024 campaign is now on TikTok, even though he has expressed national security concerns over the platform and banned it on federal devices. Mr. Biden in 2022 banned the use of TikTok by the federal government’s nearly four million employees on devices owned by its agencies, with limited exceptions for law enforcement, national security and security research …

What’s really at stake in the US moves to target TikTok?
1 year ago

What’s really at stake in the US moves to target TikTok?

Al Jazeera  

US lawmakers’ determination to limit the digital space raises crucial questions about who gets to tell the story Who owns the narrative? After Israel launched its war on Gaza on October 7, young American users of TikTok looking to understand US involvement in the Middle East appear to have unearthed Osama bin Laden’s post-9/11 “Letter to America”. The furore over …

Is it US or China? America drew up contract to not ban TikTok, if it gave them unlimited spying powers
1 year, 4 months ago

Is it US or China? America drew up contract to not ban TikTok, if it gave them unlimited spying powers

Firstpost  

The US wanted to sign a deal with ByteDance’s TikTok, saying that it wouldn’t ban the app in the country if allowed access to their servers and data. The deal, between TikTok and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, would have allowed multiple US agencies unprecedented access to TikTok’s operations and records. It would have also enabled …

New York City bans TikTok on government-owned devices over security concerns
1 year, 4 months ago

New York City bans TikTok on government-owned devices over security concerns

The Hindu  

New York City on Wednesday banned TikTok on government-owned devices, citing security concerns, joining a number of U.S. cities and states that have put such restrictions on the short video sharing app. TikTok "posed a security threat to the city's technical networks," the administration of New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement. New York City agencies are …

First on CNN: New bipartisan bill in Senate could address TikTok security concerns without a ban
1 year, 6 months ago

First on CNN: New bipartisan bill in Senate could address TikTok security concerns without a ban

CNN  

CNN — Five US senators are set to reintroduce legislation Wednesday that would block companies including TikTok from transferring Americans’ personal data to countries such as China, as part of a proposed broadening of US export controls. “Our bipartisan bill would turn off the tap of data to unfriendly nations, stop TikTok from sending Americans’ personal information to China, and …

Analysis: There is now some public evidence that China viewed TikTok data
1 year, 7 months ago

Analysis: There is now some public evidence that China viewed TikTok data

CNN  

CNN — US officials have long insisted the Chinese government may be able to view the personal information of TikTok users — but that claim was purely speculative. In a court filing this week, the former employee of ByteDance, Yintao Yu, alleged that the CCP spied on pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong in 2018 by using “backdoor” access to TikTok …

Former ByteDance executive says Chinese Communist Party tracked Hong Kong protesters via data
1 year, 7 months ago

Former ByteDance executive says Chinese Communist Party tracked Hong Kong protesters via data

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — A former executive at ByteDance, the Chinese company which owns the popular short-video app TikTok, says in a legal filing that some members of the ruling Communist Party used data held by the company to identify and locate protesters in Hong Kong. In the documents submitted to the court he said ByteDance had a “superuser” credential — …

Former ByteDance executive says Chinese Communist Party tracked Hong Kong protesters via data
1 year, 7 months ago

Former ByteDance executive says Chinese Communist Party tracked Hong Kong protesters via data

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A former executive at ByteDance, the Chinese company which owns …

Chinese hacking group spying on US infrastructural organisations, says Microsoft
1 year, 7 months ago

Chinese hacking group spying on US infrastructural organisations, says Microsoft

Hindustan Times  

A state- The espionage has also targeted the U.S. island territory of Guam, home to strategically important American military bases, Microsoft said in a report, adding "mitigating this attack could be challenging." Microsoft said the Chinese group, which it dubbed "Volt Typhoon," has been active since at least 2021 and has targeted a number of industries including communications, manufacturing, utility, …

Montana bans TikTok: But can the US state enforce the law?
1 year, 7 months ago

Montana bans TikTok: But can the US state enforce the law?

Firstpost  

Montana has become the first state in the United States to ban Chinese-owned popular app TikTok from personal devices. A copy of the freshly-minted law at the state website, “TikTok may not operate within the territorial jurisdiction of Montana.” Montana governor Greg Gianforte on Wednesday signed into law a first-of-its-kind bill that makes it illegal for TikTok to operate in …

Why does the United States want to ban TikTok?
1 year, 7 months ago

Why does the United States want to ban TikTok?

Al Jazeera  

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has signed legislation to ban China-based TikTok from operating in the state to “protect Montanans” from alleged Chinese surveillance, making it the first US state to ban the popular short-video app. Here is a detailed list of allegations of the United States against the company and its parent, ByteDance: TikTok management is beholden to the Chinese …

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