Charleston Leader

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This morning, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) discussed the national security threat posed by TikTok and the importance of divesting the platform from its current owners, ByteDance, during an interview on CNBC's "Squawk Box."

Senator Capito highlighted the concerns surrounding TikTok's ownership structure and its implications on data privacy, stating, "Well, I think it's obvious that the structure of TikTok is constructed, with ByteDance being the owner, to comply with the Chinese intelligence laws." She emphasized the vulnerability created by TikTok's widespread usage and the potential risks posed to all users, especially in terms of data security.

Regarding the bipartisan TikTok divestment bill, Senator Capito expressed confidence in its passage, criticizing the delay in Senate action, saying, "You know, I don't understand why [Senator] Schumer is not taking it up. I thought Leader McConnell was very forceful on it." She anticipated the bill's approval and mentioned the president's willingness to sign it into law.

When discussing the threat posed by TikTok to Americans, Senator Capito pointed out the competitive nature of the Chinese government and its ambitions, emphasizing the real risks at hand. She shared insights from concerned parents and highlighted the influx of calls from young TikTok users to her Senate office, underlining the need for action to protect user data.

In response to concerns about the CCP harvesting Americans' data, Senator Capito acknowledged the reports and stressed the importance of vigilance. She expressed skepticism about China's intentions and underscored the need to safeguard against potential data exploitation, especially in light of upcoming events like elections.

Senator Capito's remarks shed light on the urgency of addressing data privacy concerns associated with TikTok and the broader implications for national security.