At the third GOP debate, the Republican presidential candidates promised to restrict the use of TikTok, citing not only national security issues but also concerns about the collection of data.
At the Republican presidential contenders debate on Wednesday night, candidates pledged to ban the use of the social video app TikTok, citing both national security concerns about data collection and anti-Semitic activity on the platform. TikTok is controlled by the Chinese government.
“Not only does TikTok contain spyware, Chris Christie, a former governor of New Jersey, made these comments after observing that “it is polluting the minds of American young people all throughout this country, and they are doing it intentionally.”
He laid the blame for the inaction squarely at the feet of former President Donald Trump, who is currently leading the pack for the candidature of the Republican Party but is avoiding the debates.
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott backed Trump, claiming that the then-president’s efforts to prohibit the app were twice ruled down by the courts. Scott is from the state of South Carolina. “If you can’t get rid of TikTok altogether, you should at least get rid of the Chinese influence on it,” he advised.
In addition, he proposed that in order for minors younger than 14 to get an account on the app, their parents would have to provide their approval beforehand.
The discussion surrounding TikTok quickly morphed into a bigger debate about the increasing impact of Chinese culture on society in the United States. TikTok, according to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, demonstrates that the United States’ competition with China extends beyond the economic and military spheres into the cultural sphere.
To be able to successfully defend ourselves against China, we need to take a comprehensive approach. Yes, economic decoupling and military deterrence are both important, but we also need to consider their place in our culture. If we don’t, and if we choose to disregard that fact, it will be impossible for us to win the battle together.