The Justice Department says TikTok might let the Chinese government secretly influence U.S. elections through its algorithm.
In a recent court filing, they argued that TikTok’s system could be used for covert manipulation, potentially swaying American views and interfering with the political process.
The Justice Department is worried that if TikTok remains under its current ownership, it could be exploited by China to impact U.S. elections.
This comes as part of a legal battle where TikTok is trying to block a new law that could ban the app unless it gets a new owner by January 2025. TikTok argues this law infringes on free speech and access to information.
The Department of Justice claims that this law is not about limiting speech but addressing national security risks tied to TikTok’s connections with China.
They emphasize that TikTok’s data collection and its algorithm could be manipulated by the Chinese government to influence content shown to American users.
The DOJ also highlights that TikTok collects a lot of sensitive information, including users’ locations and private messages, which could pose risks.
Concerns are heightened because some TikTok data may involve teenagers and sensitive topics like gun control and religion.
The information comes from a CNN report, reflecting ongoing debates about security and free speech related to TikTok.
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/27/tech/tiktok-response-to-us-ban/index.html