TikTok Fanatic Threatens U.S. Senator Over Banning of the App

(RepublicanReport.org) – Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate are currently considering companion bills that could block TikTok from US devices. An avid user recently left a message on a North Carolina senator’s voicemail threatening to kill the lawmaker if he banned the popular app.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) shared the message on X, formerly Twitter, which depicts a young female threatening to “find” and “shoot” the senator if he bans the app. Tillis reminded users that threatening lawmakers is a federal crime and added that the person who left the voicemail only proved how dangerous TikTok has become.

Congress first introduced S85 and HR503, dubbed the No TikTok on United States Devices Act, in January 2023. The legislation would bar the popular platform from all devices in the United States if the company’s owner, ByteDance, remains its owner. The move is in response to concerns that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) could wield influence over the company to farm vital intelligence from American users. The House of Representatives recently passed the bill with a 352-65 vote. The issue is currently in the hands of the Senate.

If the measure passes, ByteDance will have 30 days to sever its ties with TikTok, or President Joe Biden will exercise his power under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and block the app using whatever means necessary. The bill also mandates a full investigation into the extent of the threat TikTok poses to American interests.

Congress members are concerned the CCP could have access to more than private citizens’ information via the platform. They also fear the Chinese government will use it to gain images and information on elected officials and military members. A major worry is the possibility that the CCP might use the data to create deep fakes and other forms of media, which they can then use as propaganda or harmful media spin. They also fear Chinese leaders might use the platform as a means to directly manipulate US lawmakers.