Janice R. Andrews
Remarkably, TikTok’s vigorous lobbying effort on Capitol Hill has backfired, escalating senators’ worries about ByteDance, the parent firm of the app. TikTok users have reportedly flooded congressional offices with calls, asking questions and even using severe vocabulary. The callers range in age from teenagers to the elderly.
Both Democratic and Republican staff members have voiced concern over the calls’ content, pointing out that while some were merely “confused” and following TikTok’s directions, others—most notably adult women—used threatening and abusive language.
The lobbying campaign has only strengthened senators’ support for the bill, which aims to defeat legislation requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok within six months or face removal from US app stores. With support from both parties and the unusual unanimous vote of important committees, the bill is moving quickly through Congress and is about to be put to a full House vote.
Sharp criticism has been leveled at TikTok’s mobilization strategies, which include geolocation-based notifications asking users to get in touch with representatives. Over 900 calls, many from vulnerable school-aged children, were reported to Congressman Neal Dunn’s office, raising worries about the app’s effect and potential for user base exploitation.
TikTok has responded by refuting allegations of coercive techniques and stating that users had the choice to turn off alerts. Legislators, however, are unwavering in their misgivings about TikTok’s apparent risks to mental health and privacy as well as its connections to the Chinese Communist Party.
Legislators are unfazed by TikTok’s determined efforts; Florida Congressman Carlos Gimenez reiterated his support for the bill notwithstanding the focused campaign. The widespread effect of TikTok raises serious worries about public health, as seen by reports of young individuals threatening to hurt themselves.
Lawmakers from both parties struggle to understand the motivations behind TikTok’s intense lobbying effort as phone calls pour into legislative offices. As worries about user manipulation and national security grow, so does the need for legislative action against TikTok’s parent business.
