US President Donald Trump, in his first interview since taking office for his second term, dismissed concerns about the national security risks surrounding the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform TikTok.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News, Trump addressed fears that China could be using TikTok to spy on American users, stating, “Is it that important for China to be spying on young people, on young kids, watching crazy videos?”
Trump Questions the Real Threat of Chinese Spying
Trump further pointed out that China manufactures a majority of the world’s phones and computers, suggesting that this could present a more significant security threat than TikTok. “They make telephones and they make your computer, a lot of other things. Isn’t that a bigger threat?” Trump remarked.
The national security concerns about TikTok mainly focus on its parent company, ByteDance, being based in China, with critics claiming that the app could collect sensitive data from users. However, TikTok has consistently denied accusations of spying and has defended its privacy practices.
Biden Administration’s Concerns Over TikTok’s Data Collection
Officials from former President Joe Biden’s administration, as reported by Bloomberg, have raised concerns that TikTok collects vast amounts of user data, including names, addresses, credit card information, GPS location, biometric identifiers, and even keystroke patterns. These allegations have fueled debates about the app’s potential risks to national security.
Trump’s Relationship with TikTok
During his first term in office, President Trump made efforts to ban TikTok in the US over security concerns. On his first day in office for his second term, Trump delayed the ban, giving ByteDance a 75-day window to divest its US operations and sell the platform.
Trump had also credited TikTok for helping him connect with younger voters, which played a key role in his election victory. In the past, Trump proposed that Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, buy TikTok and run it in partnership with the American government, framing the platform as an opportunity for collaboration between the US and the app.
TikTok’s Status During the Biden Presidency
While TikTok faced significant scrutiny during the Trump administration, the Biden administration imposed a ban on TikTok being installed on government devices. Despite this, Trump indicated earlier this week that he was open to downloading the app, signaling a shift in his stance.
In his latest interview, President Trump’s defense of TikTok highlights ongoing debates about the potential security risks of Chinese technology companies operating in the US. While TikTok denies accusations of spying, Trump’s remarks raise important questions about the broader threat of Chinese-made technology, including phones and computers.
