“National security issue”: US ultimatum to TikTok ahead of possible ban

The social network TikTok, which has almost 170 million users in the US, just received a serious ultimatum from the US Congress. The legislation passed Tuesday night requires the company to sever ties with its Chinese parent ByteDance and China more broadly if it does not want to risk being banned in the United States.

If it comes into force, the text obliges ByteDance to sell the application within twelve months, otherwise it will be removed from the Apple and Google stores in the United States. However, this text must be quickly released by Joe Biden.

The app, which has exploded during the Covid pandemic, has been in the crosshairs of US authorities for years. A candidate for re-election in November, the Democratic leader reiterated his “concerns” about TikTok during a call with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in early April.

ByteDance “has obligations to the Chinese government”

This thesis was reinforced by the head of the FBI in an interview that aired Tuesday night on NBC. According to Christopher Ray, TikTok poses a “national security” issue. The social network is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, which “has obligations to the Chinese government,” he said, adding: “When Americans think about the power, access, opportunity, technology and control that TikTok has, they should ask themselves what they think.” this same power, access, capability and control is in the hands of TikTok’s parent company and therefore the Chinese government and ultimately the Chinese intelligence services,” he clarified.

The fact remains that many Americans oppose such a crackdown, which could turn into a legal soap opera. Even Elon Musk, the CEO of X, took a stand, saying it was “against freedom of expression.”

Statements by the head of American diplomacy, Antony Blinken, are expected in China this Wednesday. If his mission is to increase pressure on Beijing on various issues, such as supporting Russia, while seeking greater stability. However, this Tik Tok issue could prove to be another thorn in the relationship between the two countries.

Risk of attack on American soil

In addition to this threat from Tik Tok, the head of the FBI expressed concern that he sees a “coordinated attack” on American soil. He said the attack “couldn’t be much different from what you saw on a concert hall in Russia a few weeks ago by ISIS-K.”

This is not the first time the FBI director has mentioned such a risk. “Our most pressing concern is that events in the Middle East will inspire individuals or small groups to carry out attacks here,” he told Congress on Thursday, April 11, according to ABC.