The Chinese government could use TikTok to control the data of millions of American users, according to the FBI.
During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats to US security, the agency's director, Christopher Wray, warned against the popular social media app, stressing that its control is in the hands of a government “that doesn’t share our values.”
When asked whether China could use the app to feed misinformation, Wray said "yes" and added that the agency is not sure whether this could be detected if it were to happen.
Wray said the FBI was concerned that the Chinese had the ability to control the app’s recommendation algorithm, which would allow them to choose the content that is shown to each user, and therefore influence opinions. He also asserted that China could use the app to collect data on its users that could be used for traditional espionage operations.
"This is a tool that is ultimately within the control...