But despite the fact that the dangers associated with hacking are regularly discussed on Capitol Hill, earlier this month, a review by States Newsroom showed that a whopping 32 members of Congress, 31 Democrats, and one independent had TikTok accounts as of early January.
Although there are currently no specific laws that ban lawmakers from using the app on personal devices, these legislators should know better than to risk their data getting into the hands of Chinese leadership, as laws in the communist country allow for the government to legally commandeer the data held by TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance.
Among the members of Congress reported to have still been on TikTok as of early January, about half of them either currently sit or have previously sat on committees that regularly deal with matters related to foreign affairs, the military, or national security.
NOTE TO EVERYONE:
Some of the more notable congressional “TikTokers” include Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.). In the case of Booker, for example, it can be assumed that he is privy to various classified matters as a result of his seat on the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee. Booker uses TikTok to reach his more than 329,000 followers and has tallied over 2.8 million likes.
TikTok collects user information that includes location data, contacts, and browsing histories. These data can potentially be used to physically track U.S. officials, placing them in harm’s way, or may even subject them to foreign-based extortion plots.
The fact that this irresponsible behavior and potential danger exists only among Democrats and one independent should not be overlooked by American voters, and these individuals must be held accountable where it matters most: the ballot box.
I do not believe naivete has anything to do with it. Stupidity, lack of caring, and perhaps intentional collaboration are more likely.
They think ID theft is the extent of the threat.
It is ability to plant 'worms' on your device that operate undetected in the background. (same as FaceBook for the last 15 + years.)
They’re helping boost profits for their Chinese buddies and it’s easier to sell secrets
The Chinese government probably has spies in most leading US organizations.
probably the easiest way to pass on encrypted secrets to their daddy’s in the the CHICOM party
Google knows a lot, and so do its Chinese employees.
It is hip!
About a decade ago a British newspaper was found to be listening in on royal phone calls.