A new Reuters-Ipsos survey, the results of which were published on Wednesday, shows that most Americans view the TikTok app as a tool for Chinese influence. According to Reuters, this survey conducted in March indicates that 67% of Americans believe TikTok poses a security threat to the United States. About 52% have stated they stopped using it due to 'security concerns.' This survey comes amid rising tensions between the United States and China over the popular social media platform installed on smartphones. The administration of former President Donald Trump attempted to ban the app in the United States in 2020, but these efforts faced legal challenges. Many U.S. officials believe TikTok poses national security risks because China could force the company to hand over data on its 170 million American users. Recently, the U.S. Congress passed a bill stating that ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese owner, must either sell it to an American company or face a ban on its operations in the United States. This legislation was signed into law by President Joe Biden last week. Reuters reported last Thursday, citing informed sources, that ByteDance prefers to shut down the app in the U.S. rather than sell it to an American company. The supplementary national security budget is on President Joe Biden's desk; the U.S. Senate has passed bills to aid Ukraine and Israel. The U.S. House of Representatives is taking action to protect the 'data of 170 million users'; TikTok has expressed concern. In a bipartisan vote, the U.S. House of Representatives stated that TikTok's operations would be banned 'if not divested.' The Chinese app is under suspicion of spying on users; TikTok executives are traveling to Iran.
New Survey: Most Americans View TikTok as a Tool for Chinese Influence
A recent survey reveals that 67% of Americans see TikTok as a security threat linked to Chinese influence, with many ceasing its use over security concerns. The U.S. Congress has mandated that TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance, must either sell the app to an American company or face a ban, reflecting heightened tensions between the U.S. and China.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
A new survey indicates that a majority of Americans view TikTok as a security threat linked to Chinese influence, leading to legislative actions mandating its sale or a ban. This reflects growing concerns over data privacy and national security.
- 67% of Americans believe TikTok poses a security threat.
- The U.S. Congress has mandated that ByteDance must sell TikTok or face a ban.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
TikTok, a popular social media app owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, has faced scrutiny over its data practices and potential ties to the Chinese government. This has led to calls for regulation and oversight in various countries.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%