Johnson’s bill would investigate and set restrictions on installation, use of TikTok

TikTok, a short-form video hosting service owned by a Chinese company, would face a federal investigation, as well as newly established user restrictions designed to help ensure national security, user privacy, and transparency under legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD). 

“It might seem trivial to go after an app known for viral dance videos, but TikTok is a national security concern,” Rep. Johnson said. “TikTok has more than one billion users, and China is using Americans’ information to advance its communist agenda.”

Rep. Johnson on Sept. 6 introduced the Block the Tok Act, H.R. 8772, which has two Republican cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), to prohibit TikTok from accessing U.S. citizens’ user data from within China, according to the text of the bill.

“It’s no secret China’s goal is to replace the U.S. as the world’s superpower — Americans shouldn’t help China advance its agenda,” said Rep. Johnson. “Block the Tok keeps China’s hands off your personal information.”

If enacted, H.R. 8772 also would direct the Federal Trade Commission to initiate an investigation to determine if TikTok has engaged in unfair or deceptive acts or practices, the text of the bill says.

Additionally, the bill would prohibit the installation and use of TikTok at military installations and national security agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, among several other agencies.

H.R. 8772 also would prohibit the installation and use of TikTok on the personal electronic devices of employees at a U.S. military installation or a federal agency, according to the bill’s text.