CONTACT:
Yaël Ossowski
Deputy Director
Consumer Choice Center

TikTok is problematic, and consumers should beware

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, both President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have floated a ban on the controversial Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok, for national security concerns.

Consumer Choice Center Deputy Director Yaël Ossowski responded: “While the proximity to the Chinese Communist Party makes TikTok problematic, an outright ban would go too far by setting a dangerous precedent.

“The fact that the long arm of the Chinese Communist Party can reach into the phones of citizens of liberal democracies is indeed troubling and individuals should remain vigilant. A ban similar to critical network hardware components from companies like Huawei or ZTA is, however, not necessary. Contrary to infrastructure and network software, consumers can consciously choose to stay away from apps like TikTok,” said Ossowski.

“It is concerning that TikTok, with its security flaws and significant privacy issues, is used by over 80 million people in the United States.  

“Rather than a ban, we should be educating the public, especially younger consumers, on the dangers of low-security and risky applications tied to foreign regimes like the Chinese Communist Party.

“Resorting to bans should always be a last resort, while innovation and education can and should be used when all possible when faced with security concerns in the tech space,” said Ossowski.

***CCC Deputy Director Yaël Ossowski is available to speak with accredited media on consumer regulations and consumer choice issues. Please send media inquiries HERE.***

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The CCC represents consumers in over 100 countries across the globe. We closely monitor regulatory trends in Ottawa, Washington, Brussels, Geneva and other hotspots of regulation and inform and activate consumers to fight for #ConsumerChoice. Learn more at consumerchoicecenter.org.