- Published on
TikTok employees in China reportedly accessed U.S. users’ data
Introduction
Leaked audio from over 80 internal TikTok meetings has raised alarm bells about the app's data handling practices. According to a BuzzFeed report, employees of TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, based in China have repeatedly accessed non-public data concerning U.S. users. This revelation has led to concerns that Americans’ personal information could potentially be exposed to the Chinese government.
Lawmakers and U.S. intelligence officials have long expressed worry over TikTok's data collection capabilities, which include access to audio data and user location information. This kind of data collection heightens fears that the Chinese government may exploit this information for espionage activities.
In previous testimonies, TikTok executives assured U.S. lawmakers that user data is securely stored in the United States and that the company does not share information with the Chinese government. To bolster these claims, TikTok announced plans to transition all American user data to servers managed by Oracle in Texas. Nonetheless, reports indicate that TikTok may still retain its backups of that data.
Senator Marcia Blackburn's office responded to the latest report, stating that "TikTok has been stealing Americans' data. Big tech and communist China must be stopped." Concerns over TikTok are not new; in 2019, the Pentagon advised military personnel to exercise caution when using the app and in certain cases, instituted a ban. Former President Trump attempted to either ban the application or mandate its sale to a U.S.-based entity in 2020, but President Biden later signed an executive order revoking those actions.
This news comes amid the Biden administration's ongoing deliberations on potentially rolling back Trump-era tariffs that contribute to rising inflation, with critics accusing the administration of being lenient towards China. At this time, it remains unclear whether lawmakers will consider renewed actions in response to the BuzzFeed report.
Keywords
- TikTok
- ByteDance
- User Data
- China
- Espionage
- U.S. Lawmakers
- Data Security
FAQ
1. What is the main concern regarding TikTok's data practices?
The primary concern is that TikTok employees in China have accessed non-public data of U.S. users, which could potentially expose personal information to the Chinese government.
2. Has TikTok disclosed its data storage practices?
Yes, TikTok executives have stated that user data is stored in the U.S. and that they do not share information with the Chinese government.
3. What actions have U.S. lawmakers previously taken regarding TikTok?
In 2019, the Pentagon advised military personnel to be cautious when using TikTok, and former President Trump sought to ban the app or sell its operations to a U.S.-based company.
4. Are there ongoing discussions about TikTok in the current administration?
Yes, the Biden administration is considering various policies concerning China, and there are discussions about actions based on recent reports about TikTok.