New jersey congressman running for governor led attacks against tiktok, leading to app's impending ban

New Jersey Congressman Running for Governor Led Attacks Against TikTok, Leading to App’s Impending Ban

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January 17, 2025
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — TikTok is scheduled to be banned on Sunday in the United States. The app, which is used by millions of Americans daily to share videos, has been deemed dangerous to the American public, as it is owned by a company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

While President Donald J. Trump and other leaders are calling for the Supreme Court to give the company an extension, one New Jersey Democrat Congressman is pushing for the ban.

In March, U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) co-introduced the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, a bipartisan effort aimed at restricting access to apps like TikTok, which are linked to foreign adversaries. The legislation was introduced alongside Representatives Mike Gallagher (WI-8), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8), and the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.

As a member of the Select Committee on Intelligence and the Ranking Member of the National Security Agency and Cyber Subcommittee, Gottheimer emphasized the bill’s goal to block ByteDance-owned applications, including TikTok, from U.S. app stores and web hosting platforms due to the company’s ties to the Chinese government.

The bill also grants the President authority to identify and restrict certain foreign adversary-owned social media apps that present national security threats. This measure targets digital surveillance and influence operations that could exploit American user data.

Gottheimer warned of the Chinese Communist Party’s use of technology to spread disinformation and influence American users, stating, “It’s time we fight back against TikTok’s information invasion against America’s families.”

Representative Gallagher added, “America’s foremost adversary has no business controlling a dominant media platform in the United States,” urging TikTok to sever ties with ByteDance or face removal from the U.S. market.

Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi stressed the legislation’s focus on protecting Americans from data exploitation by foreign regimes, stating the bill ensures the President has the authority to push for the divestment of high-risk apps to safeguard national security.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital news organization covering New Jersey, national politics, public policy, public safety, and community affairs. With years of experience reporting on local government, elections, law enforcement, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey, Stilton has built a reputation for delivering timely news, in-depth reporting, and accountability journalism.

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