TikTok News
The Daily Signal follows debates on TikTok’s influence, censorship, and ties to foreign governments.
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The Rise of Political ‘Aesthetic’ Activism on TikTok
It doesn’t look like a political rally. There are no podiums, no party banners, no policy papers in sight—just trending sounds, pastel filters, and 30-second clips filmed in dorm rooms and bedrooms across America. But on TikTok, politics isn’t debated so much as curated, stylized, and performed. And as millions of young users scroll through algorithm-fed activism, a deeper…Katherine Matt -
‘Incredibly Irresponsible,’ Tech Expert Says of Whitmer’s TikTok Use After Michigan’s Ban
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is still using the popular Chinese-owned app TikTok despite a ban in her state for state-owned devices that went into effect on March 1. “It is banned for state devices,” Jayson Cavendish, Michigan’s acting chief security officer, said in an interview with the MLive media group. The ban applies to state-owned devices except…Samantha Aschieris -
Federal Agencies Must Ban Chinese-Owned TikTok, White House Memo Says
Government agencies have less than a month to ban the popular Chinese-owned app TikTok from federal devices, according to an Office of Management and Budget memorandum issued Monday. OMB Director Shalanda Young issued the memorandum for executive departments and agency heads about implementation guidance for banning TikTok on government-issued devices, Reuters first reported. "The Consolidated…Samantha Aschieris -
Libs of TikTok Creator’s New Book Aims to Protect Kids From ‘Predators’ Who Seek to ‘Sexualize Them, Confuse Them About Their Identity’
Libs of TikTok creator Chaya Raichik is set to release a children’s book aimed at protecting children from those who she says want to “sexualize them and confuse them about their identity.” “We need to be proactive in this fight. Instead of reacting to all the new ideas from bad actors who are talking to children, we need to…Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell -
Texas to Ban Use of Chinese-Owned TikTok by State Workers
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has announced that state agencies will ban the popular, Chinese-owned social media app TikTok on both state-issued and personal devices used by state employees. “The security risks associated with the use of TikTok on devices used to conduct the important business of our state must not be underestimated or ignored,” Abbott,…Samantha Aschieris -
These 31 States Have Banned TikTok on Government-Issued Devices, Networks
31 states, led by Democrats and Republicans alike, have taken action to ban the popular Chinese-owned app TikTok on some or all state-issued devices and networks. 1. Nebraska Then-Gov. Pete Ricketts, a Republican, banned TikTok for state devices on Aug. 12, 2020, citing "security concerns," Fox Business reported. "The Chinese government has long engaged in…Samantha Aschieris -
How US Government Could Ban TikTok
Chinese-owned TikTok has made headlines over the past few weeks as bipartisan support grows to ban the popular app. A bipartisan, bicameral trio of lawmakers introduced legislation Dec. 13 aimed at banning TikTok nationwide. The next day, the Senate unanimously passed another bill that would ban the app on government devices. Brendan Carr, a Republican…Samantha Aschieris -
Here’s Why TikTok’s Days in America May Be Winding Down
Congressional lawmakers introduced bipartisan legislation Tuesday aimed at banning the social media app TikTok nationwide. “TikTok is digital fentanyl that’s addicting Americans, collecting troves of their data, and censoring their news,” Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., said in a press release. “It’s also an increasingly powerful media company that’s owned by ByteDance, which ultimately reports to…Samantha Aschieris -
3 Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Ban TikTok Nationwide
A bipartisan trio of lawmakers on Tuesday introduced legislation aimed at banning TikTok nationwide. "TikTok is digital fentanyl that’s addicting Americans, collecting troves of their data, and censoring their news. It’s also an increasingly powerful media company that’s owned by ByteDance, which ultimately reports to the Chinese Communist Party—America’s foremost adversary," Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis.,…Samantha Aschieris -
Libs of TikTok Slams NBC News for LGBT-Themed Attack Piece Showing ‘Zero Journalistic Integrity’
An NBC News reporter has faced backlash for running a hit piece on several conservative commentators and outlets before reaching out to them for comment. Libs of TikTok owner Chaya Raichik, one of the commentators mentioned in the piece, said NBC reporter Matt Lavietes reached out to her for comment 15 hours after his article…Gillian Richards -
Biden’s Reported Deal With China’s TikTok Would Pose Unacceptable Risks to US
The New York Times on Sept. 26 reported that the Biden administration and the social media platform TikTok (owned by China-based ByteDance) may have reached a preliminary agreement that would allow TikTok to continue to operate in the United States, but with new restrictions to keep the user data of Americans within the U.S. Oracle…Rick Crawford -
Twitter Suspension of Libs of TikTok Is Blatant ‘Double Standard,’ Sen. Blackburn Says
Twitter has suspended the Libs of TikTok account, and Sen. Marsha Blackburn says that only further highlights the social media platform’s double standard. “Time and again, we’ve witnessed Big Tech’s double standard against conservatives,” Blackburn, R-Tenn., told The Daily Signal in an email Tuesday. “The Ayatollah is allowed on Twitter without question, but conservatives who…Virginia Allen -
Why The Washington Post Targeted Libs of TikTok
According to The Washington Post, simply reposting videos by rabid leftist activists from TikTok merits having your entire private life revealed in one of the world’s most influential newspapers. Taylor Lorenz, the Post’s internet culture commentator, published a story on Tuesday titled “Meet the woman behind Libs of TikTok, secretly fueling the right’s outrage machine.”…Douglas Blair -
TikTok Promotes Sex, Drugs, and Alcohol to Kids, Investigation Finds
Video-sharing platform TikTok promotes sexual content to underage users through its suggestion algorithm, according to an investigation by The Wall Street Journal. Investigators for The Wall Street Journal set up 31 fake TikTok accounts registered to users between the ages of 13 and 15 and studied their “For You” feeds, which consist of videos recommended to users…Ailan Evans -
Biden Directive on Mitigating Threats From TikTok, Other Foreign-Owned Apps Is Insufficient
President Joe Biden on Wednesday revoked an executive order signed by then-President Donald Trump that targeted the Chinese-owned TikTok and WeChat apps by proposing these apps be banned due to their national security risks. In its place, Biden signed a new executive order with vague directions for the Commerce Department to evaluate software related to…Annelise Butler -
China Lauds Biden’s TikTok Executive Order, Calls It a ‘Positive Step’
China on Thursday praised President Joe Biden’s repeal of former President Donald Trump’s executive orders seeking to ban TikTok and WeChat, calling the move a “positive step.” “We hope that the U.S. will treat Chinese companies fairly and avoid politicizing economic and trade issues,” Commerce Ministry spokesperson Gao Feng said at a news briefing Thursday,…Andrew Trunsky -
Trump Administration Weighs Banning TikTok, Other Chinese Apps
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday that the Trump administration is strongly considering banning TikTok and other Chinese apps. “We are taking this very seriously. We are certainly looking at it,” Pompeo told Fox News after being asked about whether President Donald Trump is making a move against the company. His comments come as national security…Chris White