The Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Justice are reportedly investigating allegations that TikTok failed to protect children’s privacy. Specifically, federal authorities are looking into whether the company failed to comply with a 2019 agreement to protect the privacy of minors. Under this agreement, the company was required to delete videos and personal information of children 13-years-old or younger.
Thus far, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been extremely critical of the app. When asked if he would recommend using the app, he answered, “Only if you want your private information in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.”
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Trump is “looking at” restricting TikTok and other Chinese social media apps in US due to national security concerns. ?
pic.twitter.com/acLuk6AnJz— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) July 7, 2020
President Donald Trump has echoed Peompeo’s sentiments. When asked if he would ban the app, he told reporters, “It’s something we’re looking at, yes.” He went on to say, “It’s a big business. Look, what happened with China with this virus, what they’ve done to this country and to the entire world is disgraceful.”
TikTok has vehemently denied any wrongdoing in the matter.
“We have no higher priority than promoting a safe and secure app experience for our users. We have never provided user data to the Chinese government, nor would we do so if asked,” a representative from the tech giant said.
At this time, there is no timetable as to when a decision about the app’s future in the United States would be made.
