Justice Department Raises Alarm Over TikTok’s Data Practices

The Justice Department has accused TikTok of collecting user data on sensitive social issues, including gun control and abortion. The allegations, filed at a Washington appeals court, suggest that TikTok and its parent company ByteDance used an internal web-suite system called Lark.

This system enabled TikTok employees to communicate with ByteDance engineers in China, who allegedly gathered and stored sensitive information about user opinions on social and religious matters. This data was reportedly stored on Chinese servers accessible to ByteDance employees, raising significant privacy and security concerns.

The DOJ warned that this collected data could be used by the Chinese government for “covert content manipulation.” The brief highlighted the risk that ByteDance could manipulate TikTok’s algorithm to influence public opinion, undermine trust in democratic processes, and deepen social divisions within the United States. The potential misuse of this data has led to bipartisan discussions among U.S. lawmakers about the possibility of banning TikTok due to national security threats.

In response to the allegations, a TikTok spokesperson argued that banning the app would violate the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech. However, the DOJ’s claims have intensified the debate over TikTok’s role and presence in the U.S., underscoring the ongoing concerns about data privacy and the influence of foreign entities on American social and political landscapes. The situation remains a contentious issue as lawmakers consider the potential implications of TikTok’s data practices and their impact on national security.