Rep. Smith Statement on the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act

SEATTLE, WA – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) issued the following statement after voting to advance the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, bipartisan legislation that would restrict app store availability and web hosting services for ByteDance-controlled applications, including TikTok. 
 
“TikTok has become one of the most popular social media apps in the world and has given its users an important platform for creativity and community. I strongly support the availability and accessibility of public forums that allow users to exercise their right to speech. However, there are justifiable concerns that the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) substantial leverage over the app poses a threat to our national security. That is why I voted to advance the bill.  
 
“We should not allow certain foreign actors to freely surveil and mislead the American public. TikTok has shown a willingness to exploit user data and use its recommendation algorithm to spread propaganda. The app is situated to be used by the CCP to suppress information that portrays China and the CCP in a negative light while at times promoting mis- and disinformation to further the CCP’s political agenda and undermine the United States.
 
“But let me be clear: The bill requires the divestiture of Tik Tok by certain foreign actors, it is not an outright ban. This legislation would help ensure that user data and privacy is not exploited by certain foreign actors.
 
“I understand the numerous benefits that online platforms provide for information sharing and public discourse and I also believe that we must take action to combat the well-documented harms of social media. There is a lot of work that remains to regulate social media, including addressing concerns around disinformation, data privacy, and youth mental health, and I hope that passage of this legislation represents the first step in a larger effort to make social media safer for its users.” 

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