Liam Byrne, a Labour MP and the chair of the House of Commons business and trade committee, told the Financial Times that while attention has primarily been on scrutinising TikTok’s handling of user data safety, his main concern lies in the platform’s impact on democratic elections.
Byrne is worried about the TikTok’s algorithms potentially amplifying disinformation, posing a threat to democratic processes.
“If you’ve got an organisation that could be influenced by someone like China, that should be a matter of concern,” he said.
While proposals akin to those in the US are not anticipated in the UK Parliament, Byrne plans to use discussions around the Digital Markets, Competition & Consumers Act to push for transparency regarding the government’s stance on TikTok ownership.
He drew parallels with recent debates over changing media ownership laws to prevent foreign states from acquiring British media outlets.
“Defending democracy is a matter of national security,” Byrne stated.
In March last year, the UK banned TikTok on government devices.
Alicia Kearns, Conservative chair of the Commons foreign affairs committee, was sceptical about mirroring the US approach but stressed the importance of addressing algorithmic manipulation and data security issues on TikTok.
She proposed alternatives such as designating social media apps controlled by foreign adversaries as national security threats or implementing stricter data protection laws.
Last week, the US House of Representatives passed a bill that could spell the end for TikTok in America.
The legislation, purportedly aimed at safeguarding national security interests, gives ByteDance a six-month ultimatum to sell its controlling stake. Failure to comply would result in a nationwide ban on TikTok.
While the bill has cleared the House, it must now navigate the Senate and secure the president’s signature to become law.
The bill has sparked discussions among privacy advocates and lawmakers in the US, with many urging Congress to consider broader measures targeting data privacy and regulation across all social media platforms.
Critics argue that focusing solely on TikTok overlooks the need for comprehensive regulation addressing data privacy concerns across platforms like Facebook, Instagram and others.
Wisconsin Democrat Mark Pocan called for meaningful regulation to safeguard freedom of expression across all social networks, including American companies.
He expressed concerns about singling out one platform instead of addressing systemic issues impacting the entire tech industry.
The call for broader regulation echoes sentiments from some senators who believe that crafting legislation specifically targeting TikTok may not adequately address the overarching challenges of data privacy and online influence.
Proposals for industry-wide rules have circulated in Washington for years but have yet to materialise into law.
TikTok has attempted to allay politicians’ concerns by emphasising its commitment to data security and privacy. It asserts that the video sharing platform is not available in China and that ByteDance is a global company independent of government control.
The platform has also advocated for industry-wide rules as the preferred solution to address data privacy concerns.
The company highlights its investments in data protection and compliance efforts, advocating for a regulatory framework applicable to all tech platforms.
Wanda Parisien is a computing expert who navigates the vast landscape of hardware and software. With a focus on computer technology, software development, and industry trends, Wanda delivers informative content, tutorials, and analyses to keep readers updated on the latest in the world of computing.
