Bad times for TikTok. After Canada, the European Parliament, in turn, banned the application of the Chinese company ByteDance from the devices of its personnel for cybersecurity reasons. This ban initiated in the United States is strongly criticized by Chinese diplomacy, which sees it as a “ abuse of power ” aiming to “ crack down on companies from other countries “.
A new US Congressional committee dedicated to the rivalry with China held its first public hearing on Tuesday, February 28, with lawmakers highlighting the threat “ existential what they think the ruling party in Beijing is. The start of this investigation came two weeks after the United States shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina, recalls Clea Broadhurstfrom the RFI international service.
” It’s not a nice tennis match “, said in introduction the president, the elected Republican Mike Gallagher, whose commission sees itself as a force in the fight against the influence of the Asian giant, aiming to hold Beijing responsible for recent breaches of national security. It must, according to its members, work on the many threats posed by Chinese power in the economic, technological and military fields.
An example, then: the US government’s targeting of the popular social media platform TikTok. The House Foreign Affairs Committee on Monday announced plans to promote legislation giving the president the power to ban the Chinese app in the United States.
Tuesday’s hearing was briefly interrupted by a protester who, from the public benches, rose up with a t-shirt ” China is not our enemy “. As she was kicked out, another shouted that this commission was a ” show of force “. ” It has nothing to do with peace “, he launched, before being put out himself.
Washington sees “spy balloons everywhere”, quips the press in Beijing
After Canadain the wake of the United States, the European Parliament has therefore, in turn, rejected the application of the Chinese company ByteDance from the devices of its personal. These decisions are referred to as anti-china by the authorities of the country, reports our correspondent in Beijing, Stephane Lagarde. It would be the sign of a great paranoia of America, according to Chinese state media.
A “ great fury “, A ” lack of self-confidence “, causing the first power to see ” spy balloons everywhere », ironically China Daily in its editorial two days ago. Theme spun Tuesday, February 28 by the spokesperson for Chinese diplomacy during her daily press briefing.
” It is surprising that as the number one country in the world, the United States is so lacking in confidence and afraid of a very popular application among the youth, did she say. We strongly oppose this wrong approach from the US side of abusing the concept of national security to suppress businesses from other countries. The US government should respect the principles of market economy and free competition, and provide an open, fair, and non-discriminatory environment for foreign businesses that want to invest and work in the United States. »
TikTok is used by two-thirds of teenagers in the United States, but Washington fears that China is using legal and regulatory pressure tactics to coerce Chinese parent company ByteDance into providing user data or spreading propaganda Chinese. As a reminder, in China, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram are blocked by censorship.
The EU’s ban on TikTok on staff devices is undermining the international community’s confidence in the EU’s business environment, Chinese spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/A7W6vzmumB
— Chinese Embassy in France (@AmbassadeChine) March 1, 2023
► Listen again: Commission of Inquiry on TikTok: “The opacity is greater than that of other social networks”
TikTok: what will France do?
In France, nearly 10 million people use TikTok, and Paris has yet to take any action regarding the app. No worries officially at the top of the state. The executive ensures that the authorities’ sensitive data is well protected. This is explained by Olivier Véran, spokesperson for the French government.
“ Whether it is the President of the Republic or members of the government, we have professional telephones which, in any case, do not tolerate the installation of any social network type application, recalls the minister. Then, in the case of the so-called sovereign ministries, in particular Defense or the Interior, it has already been ensured that on the professional telephones of agents at the central level, it cannot be installed applications, social network , TikTok-like or otherwise. »
Paris does not want to rush. The government first wants to obtain tangible elements before taking action. The French Cnil, the body responsible for ensuring respect for online privacy, has requested an investigation from its Irish counterpart, where the parent company of TikTok is domiciled for tax purposes.
And then, the Minister Delegate for Digital will soon meet the “world” leaders of the Chinese application to hold them accountable. In particular to ensure that European user data is processed by servers located in Europe. But without waiting for the government’s decision, the National Assembly has taken the lead: a communication campaign will be launched to alert deputies to the security risks posed by certain applications, including TikTok. And a commission of inquiry in the Senate will look into TikTok.