TikTok Signs Deal With Mercedes-Benz
The Chinese app TikTok has just signed a deal with car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz, ensuring that the social media app can now be used beyond phones and smart devices. The newly signed agreement means that TikTok would now appear on the wide display screens of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class’ updated MBUX infotainment system.
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The deal is expected to take effect later this year when the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class hits the market. TikTok just made its way into the automobile industry with its Mercedes Benz debut.
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The news of TikTok coming to cars is a welcomed interactive user experience for consumers. This, however, pays no attention to the controversy surrounding the Chinese app and the U.S. government. ByteDance company, which owns TikTok, is affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party. The company’s affiliation with the CCP has raised fears in many quarters, especially among Republicans. The GOP-led House likened downloading TikTok to putting spyware on your device.
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There are concerns that the Chinese employees at the app’s backend have unregulated access to U.S. user data which is potentially threatening. Mercedes Benz does not consider these potential threats.
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Chairman of the Management Board of Mercedes-Benz Ola Källenius is excited to introduce the app to their flagship products emphasizing how highly relevant TikTok is in Asia. The whole E-class dashboard would host a mega screen in the updated the system where the video app can be used.
According to PJ Media, drivers and passengers can access the TikTok app to watch videos when the car is parked. The driver and passenger have separate screens and the driver cannot see what’s happening on the passenger’s side. However, there’s a monitoring system in place to track where the driver is looking.
Last December, President Joe Biden signed a bill to ban TikTok. The measure is part of an effort to avert the security concerns the viral video app poses. The full extent of the ban prohibits using TikTok by over 4 million employees on Federal Government agency-owned devices. According to an NBC News report, there are limited usage exceptions for law enforcement, national security and security research.