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Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Does TikTok threaten US national security?

TikTok is popular among teens, who are using it for videos, memes, and lip-synching. But unlike Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, its origins aren’t in Silicon Valley, but rather in Beijing.

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By Madeleine Brand • Oct 30, 2019 • 1 min read

TikTok is popular among teens, who are using it for videos, memes, and lip-synching. But unlike Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, its origins aren’t in Silicon Valley, but rather in Beijing. And like many Chinese-owned Internet platforms or tech giants, there are big concerns over the Chinese Communist Party’s involvement. That’s why Senators Tom Cotton and Chuck Schumer sent a letter to intelligence officials last week, asking the intelligence community to determine whether TikTok poses a national security threat.

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    Madeleine Brand

    Host, 'Press Play'

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    Sarah Sweeney

    Vice President of Talk Programming, KCRW

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    Line Editor, Press Play

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    Amy Ta

    Digital News & Culture Editor

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    Samm Sacks

    Cybersecurity Policy and China Digital Economy Fellow at New America

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