AGS NEWS – U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump has reiterated his concerns regarding TikTok, labeling it as a potential national security threat.

However, he also acknowledged that banning the popular app could negatively impact young users and inadvertently strengthen Meta Platforms, previously known as Facebook, a platform he has criticized in the past.

Trump’s remarks come as lawmakers consider a bill that would require TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to divest the app within six months.

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The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the bill, with fast-track rules in place to expedite the process.

In response, TikTok defended itself in a letter to Congress, asserting that it is not controlled by the Chinese government and warning that divestment could compromise efforts to protect U.S. user data.

The company also expressed concerns that banning TikTok could lead to increased insecurity regarding user data.

Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Justice Department, have raised security concerns about TikTok, citing reports of propaganda activities during previous election cycles.

Despite these concerns, Trump emphasized that he is not seeking to bolster Facebook at TikTok’s expense, noting his previous criticism of Meta Platforms.

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Trump’s recent meeting with investor Jeff Yass, who holds a stake in ByteDance, sparked speculation about potential discussions regarding TikTok.

However, Trump clarified that TikTok was not on the agenda during their meeting.

Meanwhile, Meta Platforms’ shares experienced a decline following Trump’s comments. The company declined to comment on the matter.

Trump also acknowledged the potential impact of a TikTok ban on young users, recognizing both the positive and negative aspects of the platform.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to engage with senators on Capitol Hill later this week.

President Joe Biden has signaled his intention to sign the bill, which unanimously passed a committee.

However, TikTok argues that the bill effectively amounts to a ban, raising questions about its feasibility and potential approval by China.

The legislation would require ByteDance to divest TikTok within 165 days or risk restrictions on app stores operated by major tech companies.

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Despite previous attempts by Trump to ban TikTok, its popularity and the complexities of passing legislation in an election year present significant hurdles.

While Biden’s re-election campaign has joined TikTok, Trump’s campaign has not followed suit, reflecting ongoing debates surrounding the app’s future in the United States.