When asked by CBS News if a ban on TikTok in the United States was inevitable, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner responded “yes.” He also called the company’s CEO’s assurances that American user data is safe from Chinese authorities “unbelievable.” However, Turner suggested that selling the company could alleviate national security concerns.
In an interview, Turner stated that he does not believe the social media company can “continue to operate in the manner that they are, long term.”
The Ohio Republican’s remarks came after TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew was grilled by members of both parties on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on Thursday.
“What we know is that companies controlled by China are, of course, controlled by the Communist Party in China,” Turner explained. “There is no separation between government and commerce, as there is in our country. This is something that everyone should be concerned about because by downloading the TikTok app, they are giving up access to data and information that could end up in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.”
Turner, a member of the congressional Gang of Eight, which receives the most sensitive government intelligence, predicted major changes for the app, which has 150 million users in the United States.
He stated that divestiture — or selling the company — could alleviate his national security concerns, but that it would depend on the structure and details.
“I do believe that a divestiture, a ban, or something will have to happen to address this issue because it is far too serious in terms of security,” Turner said. “Governments other than our own are prohibiting the use of the TikTok app on government equipment. That’s because they’ve independently determined that the app poses a security risk to their country and its data. Individuals should reach the same conclusion that this poses a risk to them as well.”
When asked how much damage TikTok has caused to American user data, Turner stated, “It’s more of a risk than a threat. However, I believe that there is an increasing threat to national security that we must be concerned about.”
Turner went on to say that there was no separation between TikTok and the Chinese Communist Party in his mind.
