Deputy attorney general warns against using TikTok

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco has added to the growing chorus of voices warning against the use of TikTok due to data security issues. Speaking at a panel on technology and national security at Chatham House in London, Monaco said, "I don't use TikTok and I would not advise anybody to do so because of these concerns." The China-owned app has faced increasing scrutiny over fears that American data could fall into the possession of the Chinese government.

Monaco cited China's laws that require companies to share data with the government and their efforts to shape the use and norms around technologies that privilege their interests. "There's a reason we need to be very concerned," she said.

TikTok has more than 100 million monthly active users in the US and has already been banned from all devices owned by the federal government since December. In addition, more than half of US states have taken steps towards a partial or full ban of TikTok on government devices.

The Biden administration and TikTok have been in negotiations to address national security concerns, but obstacles remain. The New York Times reported in September that a preliminary agreement had been reached, but the details were not released.

TikTok has previously stated that it stores the data of US users outside of China and has never removed US posts from the platform at the request of the Chinese government. However, recent news stories have raised concerns about the security of user data on TikTok.

Buzzfeed reported in June that TikTok engineers based in China had access to intimate information on US users, such as phone numbers. Forbes reported in October that ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, intended to use the app to access information on some users.

The Trump administration attempted to ban TikTok in 2020, calling on ByteDance to sell the app to a US company, but the sale never took place. The concerns over TikTok, according to Monaco, exemplify a larger conflict between the US and other countries over digital security. "Today, autocrats seek tactical advantage through the acquisition, use and abuse of disruptive technology," she said.

As the debate over the security of TikTok and other Chinese-owned apps continues, it's important for individuals and businesses to carefully consider the potential risks before using these platforms. It's also important for governments to continue working towards solutions that protect national security and individual privacy in the ever-evolving landscape of technology.In a world where technology is rapidly evolving and playing an increasingly important role in our daily lives, the issue of data security and privacy is more critical than ever. The warning from Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco about TikTok highlights the potential risks that arise when we use technology without considering its underlying security implications. The use of TikTok may seem harmless, but as Monaco suggests, it's a matter of national security that requires our attention.

China's stance on technology is well known, and there are concerns that it is using its tech companies to collect data on individuals, companies, and governments worldwide. With more than 100 million active users in the United States, TikTok has become a massive target for data collection by the Chinese government. As Monaco points out, companies that operate in China must comply with Chinese laws that require them to share data with the government.

There are also concerns about the security of the data that TikTok collects. News reports have suggested that TikTok engineers based in China have access to intimate information on U.S. users, such as phone numbers, while ByteDance has also been accused of using the app to access information on some users.

It's not just TikTok that is under scrutiny. The issue of digital security is a global one, with countries vying for dominance in the tech industry. Monaco's warning exemplifies the broader conflict between the U.S. and other countries over digital security, with autocrats seeking tactical advantage through the acquisition, use, and abuse of disruptive technology.

The use of technology comes with its risks, but it's essential to note that not all technology is created equal. It's vital to consider data security and privacy when choosing which technology to use. With TikTok, it's apparent that the risks outweigh the benefits. As Monaco warns, the U.S. government has banned the use of TikTok on all devices owned by the federal government, and more than half of U.S. states have taken steps toward a partial or full ban of TikTok on government devices.