In a bipartisan effort, a group of 15 US lawmakers has urged the Commerce Department to consider placing a China-based parent company of a popular social media platform on the government's export control list. Led by Representative Dan Crenshaw and Representative Josh Gottheimer, the lawmakers emphasized the need to address potential vulnerabilities stemming from the parent company's access to American software.
The request highlights ongoing concerns about the platform's data security and its ties to the Chinese government, amid a lack of progress in Congress to enact bans or grant additional powers to the Biden administration for regulating the app.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo previously acknowledged the platform's national security risks and expressed support for legislation providing the Commerce Department with new tools to address such risks.
However, a spokesperson for the platform defended the company's efforts to protect user data and criticized the lawmakers' letter for misrepresentation. The platform has engaged with Congress and relevant agencies through the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) process and remains committed to safeguarding user data.
While some analysts speculate about potential actions against the platform, including bans or restrictions, political considerations, such as upcoming elections and the platform's popularity among users, may influence decision-making.
The previous administration, led by President Donald Trump, attempted to impose restrictions on the platform in 2020, but faced legal challenges. Meanwhile, the current administration has shown support for legislation granting new powers to address national security threats posed by foreign-based technologies, although such legislation has yet to be enacted.
In summary, the call from US lawmakers to place the China-based parent company of a popular social media platform on the export control list reflects ongoing concerns about data security and underscores the complex interplay between national security, trade, and technology regulation in the digital age.
