The U.S. Department of Justice Accuses TikTok of Data Exploitation
In a new development on Friday night, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a scathing attack on TikTok, accusing the popular tech company of using divisive social issues to gather vast amounts of user information.
Allegations of Data Manipulation and Content Suppression
The government lawyers revealed that TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have been using an internal network system called Lark to communicate and share sensitive data about U.S. users. This information is allegedly stored on servers in China and accessible to ByteDance employees, raising concerns about data privacy and manipulation.
National Security Concerns and Legal Battle
The latest court filings mark the government’s defense in an ongoing legal battle over TikTok’s future in the U.S. The company, with over 170 million American users, faces the threat of a ban if it fails to sever ties with ByteDance under a law signed by President Joe Biden. The measure aims to address national security issues amid fears of Chinese influence and data exploitation.
Furthermore, the Justice Department raised concerns about potential covert content manipulation and the use of algorithms to shape user content. Allegations of “heating,” a practice where certain videos are promoted to increase views, have also been highlighted as potential tools for unethical purposes.
Despite TikTok’s $1.5 billion plan to store U.S. user data with Oracle, the government remains skeptical about its efficacy in safeguarding against data breaches and security risks.
As the legal battle unfolds, oral arguments are scheduled for September, setting the stage for a critical decision on TikTok’s future in the U.S.
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