Over 60% of Americans see TikTok 'national security threat': Poll

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
11 Jul 2023 19:15

According to a new Pew survey, 3 in 5 Americans believe TikTok is a threat to their national security.

The TikTok app logo pictured in Tokyo, Sept. 28, 2020 (AP)

According to a new Pew survey, 3 in 5 Americans believe TikTok is a threat to their national security. In March, the app had 150 million users in the US.

This did not stop 64% of the 5,101 Americans polled from reporting that they were "very or somewhat concerned" about the app's data use policies.

Only one in five participants expressed that they did not see the app as a threat to national security.

TikTok was viewed as a national security concern by 70% of Republican and Republican-leaning respondents, compared to 53% of Democratic and Democratic-leaning respondents.

Over two-thirds of those aged 65 and up considered TikTok as a national security concern, compared to 49% of those aged 18 to 29.

The Pew Research Centre conducted the study in mid-May, just after Montana became the first state in the United States to outlaw the app. TikTok is presently suing to overturn the prohibition.

The Insider previously reported that since 2020, officials in the US have attempted to limit the usage of TikTok.

Half of state governments have prohibited the use of TikTok on government equipment.

According to a second Pew Research Centre poll issued in March, 50% of Americans favored banning the TikTok app. Only 22% of those polled stated they were opposed.

Despite the app's enormous popularity, campaigns to ban TikTok have gained traction due to concerns that extend beyond data privacy and the app's links to China.

Child safety and adolescent mental health were significant concerns raised by lawmakers during TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew's presentation before Congress.