Senate Republicans Welcome Bipartisan Bill Banning TikTok

Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, introduced the Averting the National Threat of Internet Surveillance, Oppressive Censorship and Influence, and Algorithmic Learning by the Chinese Communist Party Act (Anti-Social CCP Act). Reps. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., and Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., introduced companion legislation in the House. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr credited the “strong leadership” of the trio for filing the bill.

Asked if he would consider a full ban of TikTok in the U.S., Warner told reporters somewhat of a de facto ban already is gathering momentum. He cited a military ban of the app and various policies across states (see 2212070033). Warner noted he had some qualms about the structure of a previous bill from Rubio, which focused on broader supply chain issues for TikTok. Warner said he would like to hear from DOJ about the department’s security review before drawing any conclusions about the bipartisan legislation. DOJ has said for more than a year it can create a “wall to protect data,” said Warner: It’s unclear if the data can be fully protected against the Chinese government’s algorithms.

"It is troubling that rather than encouraging the Administration to conclude its national security review of TikTok, some members of Congress have decided to push for a politically-motivated ban that will do nothing to advance the national security of the United States,” the company said in a statement. “TikTok is loved by millions of Americans who use the platform to learn, grow their businesses, and connect with creative content that brings them joy. We will continue to brief members of Congress on the plans that have been developed under the oversight of our country's top national security agencies -- plans that we are well underway in implementing -- to further secure our platform in the United States."

The legislation would block “all transactions from any social media company in, or under the influence of, China, Russia, and several other foreign countries of concern,” according to Rubio’s announcement. But members of Congress should understand that a TikTok ban could just exacerbate privacy issues involving data brokers, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., told us: “I’m very troubled by TikTok and what they do. I want people to understand if your only strategy is to ban TikTok, what you will have is all these sleazy data brokers getting people’s personal data in America and sending it to China. Don’t miss the forest for the trees.” Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Gary Peters, D-Mich., said he needs to look at the bill before offering an opinion.

“People need to understand that this is a data mining operation by the Chinese Communist Party and the People’s Republic of China,” and there’s a particular impact on young users, said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas: Users think they’re getting famous, but they’re “advancing the cause of Communist China.” He said he supports banning the app in the U.S.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., told us he will push for his legislation banning the app on federal devices to get back on the floor this week. The No TikTok on Government Devices Act (S-3455) from Hawley and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., passed unanimously last year (see 2008060046). “I’m at the very least in favor of banning the app on all government devices,” said Hawley: There’s “plenty of time left” on the legislative calendar for both chambers to pass the bill before year's end. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., said he favors banning the app on federal devices.

The Senate Intelligence Committee should host a classified briefing with the administration about the app, said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La.: “I want to get this right.” Banning all apps originating from Chinese companies is something Congress “should seriously consider,” said Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis.: “We should understand what China is doing with all this information, and we shouldn’t aid and abet them.”