Former Vice President Mike Pence is urging Congress and President Joe Biden to take decisive action against TikTok, which is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.
In an op-ed published by Fox News, Pence expressed his strong disapproval of allowing TikTok to operate in the United States under CCP influence. He likened the situation to never allowing Russia to control the nightly news during the Cold War, emphasizing the need to prevent China from propagating its agenda through the platform.
Pence’s op-ed coincides with Congress’s upcoming vote on the Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which aims to compel TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest from the app or face a ban in the U.S.
Citing ongoing criminal investigations into TikTok’s alleged spying on American citizens, Pence underscored the platform’s invasive data collection practices, even for users who have never engaged with the app.
He criticized the Biden administration for backing away from the Trump-Pence administration’s efforts against TikTok and highlighted concerns about politicians succumbing to pressure from wealthy donors or personal interests.
Pence’s mention of lobbyists appears to allude to former President Donald Trump’s meeting with billionaire Jeff Yass, a major ByteDance stakeholder, raising questions about the influence of Chinese-controlled companies on American politics.
While Trump initially advocated for banning TikTok during his presidency, he later softened his stance, citing a “tough decision” and denying discussing TikTok during his meeting with Yass.
Pence pointed out the shifting positions of other Republicans, such as pharmaceutical executive Vivek Ramaswamy, who once likened TikTok to “digital fentanyl” but now opposes banning the app. Ramaswamy received significant donations from Yass, leading to speculation about political influences.
Similarly, Senator Rand Paul faced criticism for opposing a TikTok ban, with reports suggesting substantial donations from Yass since 2020.
