U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, wrote a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai demanding TikTok be removed from their respective app stores due to national security concerns.
Bennet cited the company's data practices, including collecting "vast and sophisticated data from its users, including faceprints and voiceprints.
" He expressed concern about the implications of China's 2017 National Intelligence Law, which obligates Chinese companies to "support, assist, and cooperate with state intelligence work.
" Prior to Bennet's letter, Republicans have led the charge against TikTok and national security concerns, although Democratic Senator Dick Durbin previously urged Americans to stop using the app.
Meanwhile, Republican Rep.
Mike Gallagher met with TikTok's US Data Security chair on Wednesday but found their argument "unpersuasive" and still plans to introduce legislation to ban TikTok in the U.S.
The US Senator Michael Bennet has called on Apple and Google to remove TikTok from app stores on national security grounds, citing the Chinese-owned company's data practices and concerns that the Chinese government could use the platform for intelligence work.
While Republicans have led the charge in criticising TikTok, this marks a greater involvement by Democrats.
Prior to Bennet's letter, Republican Rep.
Mike Gallagher met with TikTok about its US data security plans, but still plans to introduce legislation banning TikTok in the US. There is ongoing pressure to either impose stricter data collection restrictions on TikTok or impose a nationwide ban.
Meanwhile, TikTok has produced a presentation on "Protecting U.S. National Security Interests" which offers a detailed look at the app's efforts to assure the security of data for its US users.