Headline RoundupNovember 4th, 2022

FCC Commissioner Calls for Ban on TikTok Over Data Security Concerns

Summary from AllSides News Team

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr called for a ban on the highly popular social media app TikTok, citing data security concerns regarding the app’s owner, ByteDance, a Chinese company. TikTok is currently in talks with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and has refuted allegations that the Chinese government has access to data on U.S. users of the app.

Key Quotes: Speaking with Axios, Carr said, “I don’t believe there is a path forward for anything other than a ban.” Concerns regarding privacy on the app has garnered support from both sides of the aisle, with Fox News (Right Bias) reporting Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner stating, “the ability for China to have undue influence is a much greater challenge and a much more immediate threat than any kind of actual, armed conflict.” TikTok’s response was consistent with all outlets inquiring, stating, “we are confident that we are on a path to reaching an agreement with the U.S. Government that will satisfy all reasonable national security concerns”

For Context: Former President Donald Trump sought to ban TikTok over similar concerns in 2020, but no action was taken. Reports from Buzzfeed (Left Bias) and Forbes (Center Bias) revealed that despite refutes from TikTok, U.S. data gathered from the app is accessible at the China-based parent company.

How the Media Covered It: Carr’s call was covered across the spectrum with similar framing on Wednesday. 

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