Cybersecurity expert explains why TikTok poses a real threat to United States

15 Mar 2024 · 2 min

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This content was created by Robert Siciliano. This content was uploaded by Robert Siciliano. This is a YouTube news segment titled "Cybersecurity expert explains why TikTok poses a real threat to United States" (published March 15, 2024) featuring WCBS reporter Mary Salata reporting live from Boston. The piece covers U.S. congressional moves to force ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban, national security and data-privacy concerns, and allegations about foreign influence on elections (with a reference to Cambridge Analytica). Participants include reporter Mary Salata, small-business owner Michelle Silva, an unnamed second speaker, and cybersecurity expert Robert Siciliano, who warns about the ease of online election influence and risks from foreign-owned platforms; TikTok’s denial and potential legal response are also noted.

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But you know, those who use TikTok are defending it, but others argue that history has shown us we need to take these types of threats seriously. Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. House voting overwhelmingly to ban TikTok in 6 months if China-based parent company ByteDance doesn't sell it to an American company.
TikTok is a threat to our national security.
This is not an attempt to ban TikTok, it's an attempt to make TikTok better. The app has about 170 million users here in the US.
People use TikTok as like a voice.
TikTok's brought a lot of information to be more accessible to people. Small business owners like Michelle Silva thrive because of it. We've gone from our same 12 employees for the past 3 years to now over 50 employees. But the app has been called a national security threat by the FBI and DOJ. There are concerns about the Chinese government accessing the data of TikTok's American users and possibly using it to influence the November elections.
There has never been a time in history where elections could be so easily influenced via the internet.
Cybersecurity expert Robert Siciliano says the threat is real and points to how Cambridge Analytica used Facebook data to manipulate political messaging leading up to the 2016 election.
Anything that influences Americans that's owned by foreign nations is definitely a threat to U.S. citizens, their privacy, and the security of our elections.
Now TikTok denies all these claims. It is threatening a court battle. It is worth mentioning that China has banned all U.S., uh, social media in its country, and China's version of TikTok focuses on educating Chinese youth. We are live in Boston tonight. I'm Mary Salata, WCBS.