The Justice Department is pushing for TikTok to sell its American operations to address national security concerns related to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. In a court filing on Friday, the government argued that measures previously offered by TikTok to address security concerns were insufficient, as they could still allow the Chinese government to collect sensitive data on Americans or spread propaganda.
The government’s response comes after TikTok filed a lawsuit challenging a new U.S. law that could potentially ban the popular social media app. The Justice Department contends that the Chinese government could use TikTok to undermine American interests, creating a significant national security threat.
If the government is successful in its case, TikTok may be forced to sell its American operations to a non-Chinese owner or face a ban in the United States. The law, signed by President Biden in April, requires ByteDance to sell TikTok’s American operations by mid-January to avoid being cut off from app stores and web hosting services.
TikTok has argued that a sale is not possible and that a ban would harm small businesses. The company has offered commitments to address security concerns, such as giving an American company oversight of its algorithm and storing all data domestically. The legal battle is expected to escalate to the Supreme Court.
The government’s filing highlights the dangers of China’s authoritarian government, which has a history of censorship and data collection. The Justice Department emphasized that TikTok’s algorithm could be manipulated by the Chinese government for its own purposes, posing a serious national security threat.
TikTok has not yet commented on the latest developments. The government’s arguments underscore the need to protect national security interests, even if it means limiting free expression. Previous attempts to force a sale or ban of TikTok in the U.S. have faced legal challenges, but the government is determined to address the security concerns posed by the popular app.
