Kamlager-Dove Statement on the Future of TikTok

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37)released the following statement on the future of TikTok:

“It is laughable that Trump is trying to position himself as TikTok’s ‘savior’ when he created this problem in the first place by proposing the initial ban. If Trump signs an executive order tomorrow granting TikTok a 90-day extension to divest, he should not be celebrated for merely kicking the can down the road.

“From the very beginning, I have opposed a TikTok ban because banning individual apps is not a comprehensive strategy for addressing the broader issues of data privacy and disinformation, of which TikTok is just one piece of the puzzle. Even without TikTok, the PRC can still conduct influence operations on other social media platforms and continue accessing sensitive U.S. user information through hacking or data brokers.

“What taking away TikTok is sure to do, however, is drastically harm my constituents—many of whom are creators and business owners that rely on TikTok for their livelihoods—without providing a commensurate national security benefit. The revolutionary impact that TikTok has had on creative industries—dramatically expanding artists’ reach by creating new levels of accessibility between them and their audiences—should not be underestimated.

"We need a holistic approach to tackle these national security risks, not whack-a-mole solutions that harm our creative community more than our adversaries. If Trump really wants to be the hero in this story, he should allow TikTok to remain in its current form, stop trafficking disinformation himself, and work on finding innovative solutions to address digital foreign influence. Leave TikTok alone.”

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