TikTok, National Security, and Foreign Influence

This chapter explores the national security implications of TikTok's ownership by the Chinese company ByteDance, focusing on concerns regarding data collection and potential manipulations for espionage. The discussion critically examines the need for Congress to regulate foreign control of U.S. communication platforms to safeguard American interests and protect users from covert influence operations. Additionally, it delves into the complexities of First Amendment rights in the context of foreign dominance over social media, drawing historical comparisons to past concerns about foreign influence.