President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign is turning heads and not in a good way. Despite mounting evidence of TikTok’s serious privacy concerns and its parent company ByteDance’s ties to the Chinese communist government, the Biden campaign has announced plans to continue using TikTok. This comes right after Biden himself signed legislation that threatens to ban TikTok unless it severs ties with ByteDance. The hypocrisy is startling, not to mention a glaring security concern.
Biden’s justification? A need to “meet voters where they are,” even if that means compromising on national security. TikTok, under immense scrutiny by U.S. officials, is known for its vulnerabilities and potential as a tool for Chinese surveillance. FBI Director Christopher Wray has openly stated that TikTok is “ultimately within the control of the Chinese government.” This isn’t just poor judgment; it’s a blatant disregard for the very laws that Biden himself is tasked with upholding.
Moreover, the campaign’s pledge to employ “enhanced security measures” on TikTok sounds more like a weak attempt to mask the irresponsibility of their decision. It’s akin to locking the barn door after the horse has bolted—especially when considering recent revelations from a former senior employee at ByteDance. This employee alleged that the Beijing office had direct access to all company data, including that of American users, and manipulated content to push pro-Communist propaganda.
Let’s not forget TikTok’s parent company’s “special unit” of Communist Party members, who apparently have “supreme access” to all data, as stated by former ByteDance executive Yintao Yu. This unit is said to advance core Communist values and manipulate user data to boost engagement fraudulently. This isn’t just about privacy; it’s about a foreign government potentially manipulating American voters through a platform that the President’s campaign is actively using.
It’s clear that the Biden administration‘s actions speak louder than words. On one hand, they sign a bill to mitigate the threat posed by TikTok, and on the other, they plan to use that very platform for campaign purposes. This double standard exposes a lack of genuine commitment to national security and shows a willingness to sacrifice ethical standards for electoral gain.
Biden and his campaign are playing a dangerous game. They are not only undermining public trust but also providing a stark example of how political expediency trumps security. As the 2024 election approaches, Americans must question the sincerity of a campaign that willingly overlooks significant security risks for the sake of voter engagement. The hypocrisy is not just disappointing; it’s deeply concerning.
