This week, two U.S. senators are set to introduce new legislation aimed at empowering the government to “ban or prohibit” foreign technology products, including the Chinese-owned TikTok. Senator Mark Warner made this announcement on Sunday.
Warner, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, indicated that TikTok is among the potential targets for review under the proposed bill. His comments were shared during an appearance on Fox News Sunday.
The introduction of this bill coincides with growing concerns regarding TikTok’s handling of U.S. user data, particularly fears that it could be accessed by the Chinese government.
Recently, the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee voted to grant President Joe Biden authority to impose a ban on TikTok, marking the most significant restriction on any social media platform in the country to date.
In a related development, the White House recently mandated federal agencies to ensure that TikTok is removed from all government devices and systems within a 30-day period. Additionally, more than 30 states, along with Canadian authorities and European Union institutions, have already prohibited the app from being installed on state-owned devices.
Senator Warner expressed worries that TikTok could serve as a vehicle for propaganda, given the nature of the content it promotes to users.
The forthcoming legislation, he explained, seeks to establish a systematic approach for evaluating foreign technology in the U.S. and will provide the necessary framework to restrict or eliminate access when deemed essential.
Warner plans to unveil the legislation this week alongside Republican Senator John Thune. A spokesperson for Warner indicated that an announcement would be made on Tuesday.
Specific details concerning the proposed bill were not disclosed as of Sunday. A representative for Senator Thune did not provide immediate comments on the initiative.
© Thomson Reuters 2023
