The Biden campaign has announced its intention to continue using TikTok, despite a recently enacted bill that could result in the app’s ban if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, fails to divest ownership. A campaign official, who requested anonymity, stated that the campaign will implement enhanced security measures while using the app. The decision to continue using TikTok aligns with the campaign’s strategy to engage with voters across various platforms, including online spaces frequented by younger demographics. The campaign’s TikTok account, @bidenhq, has amassed over 306,000 followers and regularly posts videos featuring the president. However, the White House has raised concerns about TikTok’s potential impact on national security, citing the potential for Chinese influence over American narratives and access to user data. Nonetheless, the White House has emphasized that the legislation is not intended as a ban but rather a measure to safeguard national security. The new law provides ByteDance with a nine-month window to sell the app or face a ban in the United States. The president has the authority to grant a one-time 90-day extension, but even without it, a ban could not take effect before January. The Biden campaign anticipates a protracted legal battle that could delay any potential ban and does not believe the decision to continue using TikTok will negatively impact its support among young voters. A recent study by the Pew Research Center revealed that approximately one-third of American adults under the age of 30 regularly obtain news from TikTok, compared to 14% of all adults. Despite concerns raised by critics, the Biden campaign maintains that it will continue to utilize TikTok as a platform to engage with voters. However, the campaign’s decision has been met with criticism from those who believe it is hypocritical to support a TikTok ban while simultaneously using the app for campaign purposes. Kahlil Greene, a TikTok creator with over 650,000 followers, known as the “Gen Z Historian,” has argued that the Biden campaign’s actions demonstrate an understanding of the platform’s influence and importance, particularly among younger audiences.
Biden’s Campaign to Continue Using TikTok Despite National Security Concerns
