The Senate is launching an investigation into TikTok to determine if it is a Chinese government spying and disinformation tool. menace TikTok Ban Grows TikTok is calm and determined that TikTok would have hoped to start 2023 differently. While the company faces a US ban (the White House said yes), the French Senate is also launching an investigation. Senate Network Investigation Committee social TikTok kicked off Monday with a hearing from Mark Faddoul, an AI researcher and algorithm specialist. She will soon hear from French and European officials from TikTok, as well as representatives of interested ministries. This study aims to shed light on company practices in terms of protection data, content moderation and political influence. “The impressive success of TikTok, especially among young people, makes it even more necessary to clarify some gray areas: comment works son algorithm, why is it more addictive than other networks, does it have an adverse effect on the development of the brain of adolescents and children? explains Mikael Vallet, chairman of the commission. Claude Mayuret, speaker, adds:
Current events in the US, Canada and Europe reinforce our initiative in the Senate. We cannot claim that TikTok is not a potential tool for disinformation or manipulation on behalf of non-democratic regimes, nor that son use is safe in relation to the necessary protection Data. The Commission of Inquiry will shed light on these issues and make recommendations.
TikTok threatened with ban in the US
In the United States, the Senate on Tuesday passed a White House-backed bill to ban the use of TikTok on any device issued by the government to its employees. FBI Director Christopher Wray told a Senate hearing Wednesday that the Chinese government could use TikTok to control data. millions US users. He called the app a “cry” about US national security concerns. More bluntly, US Senator Josh Hawley, author of the bill to ban TikTok for government employees, said:
TikTok is an app controlled by the Chinese Communist Party that collects personal data from US users and reports it directly to the Chinese government. This is a serious security risk to the United States and our allies.
Serene and voluntary TikTok
Faced with these risks of being banned, TikTok is surprisingly calm, cooperative and even voluntary. The company protects itself from any interference or espionage. It claims to comply with the laws of the countries it operates in and does not share its users’ data with the Chinese government. He also claims to promote diversity and creativity on his platform, which has over a billion users worldwide. However, a few months ago, he admitted that he had recovered his users’ data. To prove its integrity, TikTok is not shy about multiplying initiatives in the US and Europe. Across the Atlantic, the company plans to sell some or all of its operations to a US group such as Microsoft or Oracle. In France, TikTok welcomed the creation of a senatorial commission of inquiry and stated:
We welcome this initiative, which demonstrates the interest shown in our platform. We are ready to cooperate with the commission of inquiry and answer all its questions. We are convinced that TikTok fully respects European laws and values.
The Chinese giant announced in February 2023 the creation of a European center protection Ireland data. “This center will enhance our ability to protect our users’ data and respond to regulatory requests,” the company said. It also reflects our commitment to invest in Europe and support the economic and social growth of the region.” Will these initiatives be enough to convince American and French senators? Nothing less confident. The two countries are engaged in a strategic battle with China for control of the digital world. And TikTok is a shining symbol of China’s power and ambition in this area.
