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Lawmakers ask US intelligence to assess if TikTok is a security threat – TechCrunch
Two lawmakers have asked the government’s most senior U.S. intelligence official to assess if video-sharing app TikTok could pose “national security risks” to the United States.
In a letter by Sens. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Tom Cotton (R-AR), the lawmakers asked the acting director of national intelligence Joseph Maguire if the app maker could be compelled to turn Americans’ data over to the Chinese authorities.
TikTok has some 110 million downloads to date and has spiked in popularity for its ability to record short, snappy videos that are sharable across social media networks. But the lawmakers say because TikTok is owned by a Beijing-based company, it could be compelled by the Chinese government to turn over user data — such as location data, cookies, metadata and more — even if it’s stored on servers it owns in the United States.
Both Schumer and Cotton warn that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is “still required to adhere” to Chinese law.
“Security experts have voiced concerns that China’s vague patchwork of intelligence, national security, and cybersecurity laws compel Chinese companies to support and cooperate with intelligence work controlled by the Chinese Communist Party,” the letter, dated Wednesday, said. “Without an independent judiciary to review requests made by the Chinese government for data or other actions, there is no legal mechanism for Chinese companies to appeal if they disagree with a request.”
That same legal principle works both ways. U.S. companies have been shut out, or had their access limited, in some nation states — including China — over fears that they could be compelled to spy on behalf of the U.S. government.
See also: TikTok explains its ban on political advertising
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Sunday October 27 2019, @02:44PM (2 children)
I'm proposing the idea that a business operating from the UK (incorporation and all physical presence and property) should not have to follow, or even keep up with, French laws unless they decide they need to put servers in France, yes. If France dislikes that, they're free to block $corp's IP addresses at the border and seize anything shipped to their shores.
Yes, I know the consequences. And it's still the least FUBAR way of doing things for all concerned despite it's particular inherent drawbacks, because the inherent drawbacks to any other method are worse.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 2) by janrinok on Sunday October 27 2019, @05:51PM (1 child)
That was probably a bad choice of countries - while Britain remains in the EU all member states have the same regulations.
And I don't think that what you are suggesting is a better way of doing things. If you want to do business in France you have to obey French law. If you want to go on holiday to Mexico, you have to obey Mexican law. If you are suspected of committing an offence in the UK, then you should answer the charges in the UK. What if I came to the USA but ignored your laws simply because I am not American - would you think that acceptable, or would I be expected to follow US law?
If you don't like our laws, take your business elsewhere. We'll manage OK. I'm sure some people will moan about it, but life will still go on.
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Sunday October 27 2019, @10:16PM
The difference being, a website operating on UK servers, incorporated in the UK, with no physical presence outside the UK, and doing its banking in the UK can never legitimately be said to be doing business in France. There's zero legitimate reasons to treat it any different than someone in Lyon ordering something on the phone or by mail from a London company.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.