How can TikTok be so wrong when 150 million American users have downloaded the controversial and highly addictive app banned by federal agencies and at least 20 states?
The CEO of TikTok, Shou Zi Chew, tried to convince congressional lawmakers as much during a House hearing Thursday, where he tap danced around security issues with assurances there was no need to fear the Chinese communist government that just happens to have a stake in the company.
Rep. Jamaal Bowman blasts efforts to ban TikTok as ‘racist’ https://t.co/zez8mVX4Sc pic.twitter.com/i2O1C2Xm43
— New York Post (@nypost) March 22, 2023
The federal government has already banned the app on their devices, thanks to legislation authored by Colorado Republican U.S. Rep. Ken Buck.
And Colorado Democrat U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet is also sounding the alarm about Chinese access to data collected by the app downloaded by half the American population.
Despite concerns about security to personal information held by government agencies, the app is still used by state workers in Colorado.
Last night I brought forward a resolution to ban TikTok, and any platform with know affiliation to the Chinese government, from city devises. It was moved forward without opposition. @GovofCO and #coleg should do the same. #copolitics https://t.co/2apCt5z4bs
— Dustin Zvonek (@DustinZvonek) March 21, 2023
Polis remains steadfast in allowing the use of TikTok on government devices, telling Axios through a spokesman it’s needed for communications outreach.
Polis also has a an official TikTok account with 80,000 likes and 9,000 followers.
The Aurora City Council is expected to take up the resolution by Councilmember Dustin Zvonek at next week’s meeting to ban the app there.
Amid growing concern regarding potential cyber security threats posed by TikTok and its ties to the Chinese government, Zvonek said the city should not risk exposing its sensitive data to the app.
“This is a government that has a history of amassing large amounts of data on their own citizens,” Zvonek said, “and people around the world, including here in the United States.”
Polis insists TikTok needed for government work despite security threats