Delaware County Review

WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Representatives Troy Balderson (R-OH), Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), and Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) have taken a stand against social media platform TikTok for its role in spreading terrorist propaganda and antisemitic content. In a letter addressed to TikTok CEO Shou Chew, the representatives demanded immediate action to combat the platform's dissemination of hateful and dangerous material.

The letter, which was signed by 25 members of Congress, highlights the alarming reach of TikTok's content related to the recent terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel. It reveals that videos with the hashtag #freepalestine garnered an astonishing 946 million views within just 30 days, with over half of those views coming from young adults aged 18-24. Additionally, the letter points out that TikTok has also seen a trend glorifying Osama bin Laden and the September 11, 2001, attack on Americans, further demonstrating the platform's influence over its young user base.

This is not the first time TikTok has come under scrutiny for its content and practices. Earlier this year, Shou Chew appeared before the Energy and Commerce Committee to discuss the company's consumer privacy and data security practices. During the hearing, Representative Balderson questioned the potential harm that TikTok poses to young Americans and raised concerns about how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) could exploit the platform's data collection for nefarious purposes.

In the letter, the representatives expressed their deep concern over the spread of disinformation and antisemitism on the platform following the Hamas terrorist attack. They highlighted the fact that many young people rely on TikTok as a primary source of news, rather than turning to more reliable and verifiable sources. The members of Congress accuse TikTok of fostering an environment where pro-terrorist content thrives, leading to an increase in hateful antisemitic rhetoric and violent protests on college campuses across the United States.

The letter concludes with a scathing indictment of TikTok, accusing the platform and its employees of becoming a mouthpiece for antisemites, terrorists, and propaganda. The representatives assert that the Chinese Communist Party has already co-opted TikTok, further exacerbating the concerns about the platform's influence and its potential for serving as a vehicle for dangerous ideologies.

The letter was signed by a diverse group of representatives, including John Joyce (R-PA), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Kat Cammack (R-FL), Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN), Tim Walberg (R-MI), Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL), Rick W. Allen (R-GA), Gary Palmer (R-AL), Robert E. Latta (R-OH), Greg Pence (R-IN), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), Randy K. Weber (R-TX), Russ Fulcher (R-ID), Richard Hudson (R-NC), Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (R-IA), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Neal P. Dunn, M.D. (R-FL), August Pfluger (R-TX), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), and John Curtis (R-UT).

The demand for action against TikTok's spread of terrorist propaganda and antisemitism is a clear indication that lawmakers are taking the issue seriously. It remains to be seen how TikTok and its CEO will respond to these concerns and whether they will take the necessary steps to address the platform's alarming content. As the debate over the regulation of social media platforms continues, it is clear that the role they play in shaping public discourse and influencing young minds is a matter of utmost importance.

Click this link to access more information: https://balderson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2574