US Trade Minister Supports Regulations Regarding Foreign Apps Owned By China

JAKARTA - US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, on Wednesday 4 October, supported legislation providing the US Department of Commerce with new tools to address concerns over information on foreign applications owned by the enemy.

His comments came as concerns over TikTok that China has sparked new efforts in Congress to strengthen its authority to address or even ban the popular short video sharing app. But the bill has stalled in Congress. TikTok, which has more than 150 million US users, disputes the improper use of US population data.

"Of course TikTok poses a national security risk, but we need a comprehensive plan," Raimondo said in a hearing on the Senate Commerce Committee.

"The Commerce department needs a new legal tool from Congress to have a comprehensive approach to connected applications that poses a national security risk," Raimondo said.

TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the media on the statement.

In March, the FBI Chief said the Chinese government could use TikTok to control the data of millions of US users, saying China's video app was "confronting" security concerns.

TikTok said it had spent more than $1.5 billion on data security efforts and rejected wiretapping allegations.

Raimondo supported legislation introduced by Senators Mark Warner and John Thune as well as 24 other senators in March called the Restrictions Act that would authorize the Commerce Department to review or stop transactions involving foreign information and communication technology that pose a national security risk, such as TikTok. He also supports a similar bill that Senator Maria Cantwell is drafting called the Guard Act.

"I've been asked a lot, should we ban TikTok? This is more than just TikTok," Raimondo said.

In March, Reuters and other media reported that President Joe Biden's administration demanded Chinese owners TikTok to release their shares in the popular video app or face a possible ban in the US.

Separately, Raimondo said he hopes to announce the announcement of the first chip fund award from the government's US$39 billion semiconductor subsidy program (Rp609.3 trillion) this fall.

"I moved as quickly as I could but it was more important to do it right than fast," Raimondo said in a hearing on the Senate Commerce Committee when answering questions about the program created by Congress in August 2022. "I hope we will have some chip funding announcements this fall."