Culture
TikTok’s algorithms drive users down rabbit holes of anti-American propaganda and harmful self-behavior. Its algorithms highlight the most aberrant human behaviors so users, primarily young people, consider them normal. A Utah youth committed suicide after being relentlessly fed pro-suicide content on TikTok.
Students' use of mobile devices is poisoning the American education system. Attention spans are limited, and learning is hampered. Human social interactions are absent.
As a grooming app for anti-American propaganda, TikTok spins positive views of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and negative views of American society. TikTok is owned by ByteDance, which is headquartered in Beijing, China. By law, all Chinese businesses and organizations are subservient to the CCP.
Douyin, a sister company to TikTok and owned by ByteDance, operates in China, whereas TikTok is banned there. Douyin limits individual viewing time and promotes a menu of science, math, patriotic news, and physical fitness. It does not allow negative comments on Chinese society. No mention of the Tiananmen Square massacre or the subjugation of Tibetans or Uyghurs is permitted.
Politics
Elections are skewed by TikTok to favor those politicians most favored by the CCP. Not only is TikTok interfering in elections in the US, but also in Canada, where TikTok creators are impacting the upcoming elections.
President Biden and President Trump both used TikTok in their re-election campaigns, despite knowing that Congress had passed legislation banning TikTok due to national security concerns. President Trump has extended the congressional deadline twice to give American negotiators more time to buy TikTok from ByteDance.
American investors interested in purchasing TikTok include Elon Musk, Oracle, and Microsoft.
American ownership is meaningless if the algorithms are not included. The CCP has stated that TikTok and its algorithms are not for sale, as the algorithms are considered a top-secret national security asset.
Business
China has a burgeoning e-commerce business based on TikTok that may suffer from newly imposed tariffs and a potential ban on operating in the US. TikTok is spending millions of dollars on TV ads and lobbying in the run-up to the ban, extolling how it helps American businesses. TikTok makes millions of dollars from ads generated on the media site.
National Security
Personal data on millions of Americans is collected by TikTok. Its executives claim the data is not forwarded to China. Chinese national law dictates that all companies are subject to CCP control. When TikTok representatives claim data collected is not sent to company headquarters in Beijing, trust your common sense in not believing them.
Summary
Reciprocity should be the foundation for all US policy. The CCP does not allow American media to operate in China, so why should the US allow Chinese media to operate in America?
TikTok, like fentanyl, is poisoning America. All Chinese media apps should be prohibited from operating in the US. China is wielding TikTok as a modern-day Trojan Horse in its unrestricted warfare against the United States.
Subconscious messaging is more effective than overtly political propaganda. The ultimate goal of TikTok is to manipulate American youth in the values of democracy and free enterprise. The CCP playbook is based on Sun Tzu’s 5th-century B.C. classic, “The Art of War.” Notable quotes include “all warfare is based on deception” and “the greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”
The “free speech” argument in favor of TikTok is specious. There is nothing “free” about CCP propaganda poisoning and influencing American culture.
No deal to purchase TikTok by American investors should be made unless American control of the algorithms is included. Algorithms control the narrative. The CCP considers them to be a state secret.
Action
- Ban TikTok and all Chinese apps until the CCP allows American apps to operate in China.
- If American investors buy TikTok, the purchase must include the algorithms.
- Ban all electronic devices for students in schools.
Author Laurence F. Sanford is a veteran of the United States Navy and the Central Intelligence Agency and now serves as Senior Analyst for the American Security Council Foundation. Please support ASCF’s education efforts by donating to the American Security Council Foundation at www.ascf.us.
- Tik Tok divestiture
- Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (H.R. 7521)
- Chinese Communist Party
- Rep. Mike Gallagher
- Social Media
- Viral videos
- cognitive warfare
- Biden Harris administration
- Trump executive order
- ByteDance
- Tech Companies
- Data
- CCP propaganda
- First Amendment
- Chinese spyware
- Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers
- Mike Pence
