The Justice Department is looking into whether TikTok, a popular app owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, has been spying on American users. This investigation has been ongoing since late last year, when ByteDance admitted to improperly obtaining the data of several American TikTok users, including two journalists. The Justice Department’s criminal division, the FBI, and the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia are all looking into whether ByteDance has any ties to the Chinese government.
TikTok has grown in popularity as a platform for memes and viral dance challenges, as well as a safe haven for LGBTQIA+ youth. It has, however, become a national security concern. The United States government has been looking into whether China is using the app to spy on Americans, undermine democratic institutions, and foster adolescent internet addiction.
