The CIA director, William Burns, stated that “it’s disturbing to see what the Chinese government may do to manipulate TikTok” in an interview that aired on Friday’s “PBS NewsHour.” Burns agreed with FBI Director Christopher Wray’s conclusion that TikTok threatens national security.
Another question regarding China is their viral social media platform app TikTok,” host Judy Woodruff said. Chris Wray, director of the FBI and your domestic equivalent, has called it a danger to U.S. national security. What do you think?
Burns remarked, “I do. TikTok’s parent firm is based in China. Thus, the Chinese government can demand access to the personal information of many American users and manipulate the platform’s content to benefit the Chinese government. Those are significant difficulties that should be of grave concern.
After Woodruff questioned Burns for his opinion on whether or not lawmakers should prohibit the app, Burns said, “I don’t provide judgments on those types of policy or legislative issues.” I want to stress how unsettling it is to think about what the Chinese government may do to influence TikTok.
What would you say to parents debating whether to let their kids use TikTok? Woodruff asked.
Burns said, “I’d be cautious.”