The United States' move to ban or otherwise cut off the popular Chinese-owned social media app TikTok is part of a concerted effort to cut linkages with China that can be exploited to gather Americans' data - or have any kind of influence in American society.
The theory is that because TikTok is subject to Chinese law, the company can be compelled by the Chinese government to provide access to user data. There is also separate concern over whether TikTok uses content-moderation policies and practices that serve the preferences of the Chinese Communist Party.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Read the full story and more at $9.90/month
Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month
ST One Digital
$9.90/month
No contract
ST app access on 1 mobile device
Unlock these benefits
All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com
Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device
E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you