WASHINGTON—Leading technology and China experts at The Heritage Foundation released a joint statement today warning of the dangers of a potential deal with China that allows the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to retain any control of the popular application TikTok. The Heritage statement addresses a reported framework agreement between the U.S. and China to comply with federal law forcing China’s divestment from TikTok. 

Wesley Hodges, acting director of the Center for Technology and the Human Person, and the Hon. Steve Yates, senior research fellow for China and national security policy at the Asian Studies Center, warned: 

“TikTok is a weapon of the Chinese Communist Party. For too long, it has harvested Americans’ data, manipulated our children, and censored the truth to serve Beijing. 

  

“A true divestment, in which TikTok’s algorithm and U.S. user data are fully controlled by a friendly entity, would be a resounding national security victory for the Trump Administration. But a halfway deal that leaves a backdoor open for Beijing, such as an algorithm license, presents the same threats we currently face and should be rejected. If China refuses real divestment, President Trump should call their bluff and ban TikTok outright.” 

The Heritage Foundation remains committed to advocating for solutions that protect the American people from the malign tactics of the Chinese Communist Party. 

BACKGROUND: 

• The Heritage Foundation: Heritage Reaffirms Support for Effort to Force Chinese Divestment from TikTok 

• The Heritage Foundation: Don’t Save TikTok, Save America From TikTok 

• The Heritage Foundation: TikTok Generation: A CCP Official in Every Pocket