Duval Times

Sen. Marco Rubio, a vocal critic of TikTok's ownership by Chinese company ByteDance, has once again raised concerns about the popular social media app's ties to the Chinese Communist Party. In a recent statement, Rubio emphasized the potential risks associated with allowing ByteDance to maintain control over TikTok, citing national security and personal freedom as key issues at stake.

Rubio highlighted ByteDance's close affiliation with the Chinese government, pointing out that the company is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party through both legal mandates and corporate structure. He underscored the extent of Beijing's influence over ByteDance, noting that a former CCP official on the company's board holds significant voting power, giving China absolute control over the tech giant.

The Senator expressed alarm over reports suggesting that ByteDance had engaged in activities such as spying on American journalists, influencing U.S. elections, and promoting extremist content. Rubio questioned the wisdom of allowing Beijing to have such influence over a platform used by millions of Americans, particularly young adults.

Rubio's advocacy for separating TikTok from ByteDance has gained traction in Congress, with the House of Representatives recently passing legislation that would compel the two entities to sever ties or face a ban in the U.S. The bill is now headed to the Senate, where Rubio and Senator Mark Warner are poised to champion its passage.

Addressing concerns about the proposed legislation, Rubio clarified that the focus is on ByteDance's control over TikTok rather than individual users' activities on the platform. He stressed that the goal is to prevent a foreign power from exploiting TikTok for espionage or manipulation of American citizens.

Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, Rubio pointed to recent incidents where TikTok was used to influence political messaging and mobilize users for specific causes. He warned that allowing ByteDance to retain ownership of TikTok poses a significant threat to national security and personal freedoms, urging all U.S. lawmakers to support the forced separation of the app from Beijing.

As the debate over TikTok's ownership continues to unfold, Rubio's efforts to safeguard U.S. sovereignty from potential foreign interference have garnered bipartisan support, signaling a growing consensus on the need to address the national security implications of Chinese-controlled tech platforms.