Illinois politicians from both the Democratic and Republican parties shared their thoughts on the current state of TikTok following a brief shutdown earlier this month. The app, owned by China-based company ByteDance, has been under scrutiny since 2019 due to concerns over data privacy and national security. In 2022, former President Joe Biden signed a bill that required TikTok to be sold to a U.S. company or face a ban in the country, a decision upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in January.
Some Illinois lawmakers, such as Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr., use TikTok to connect with constituents and share information but express concerns about data security. Others, like Rep. Patrick Sheehan, are less worried and see the platform as a valuable way to reach a different audience. There are mixed feelings about the potential sale of TikTok to a U.S. company, with lawmakers like Rep. Dave Vella preferring ownership outside of China, but wary of concentration of power in the hands of a few corporations.
Despite differing opinions, most politicians are hopeful for a resolution that balances national security concerns with the benefits of using TikTok for communication and outreach. The future of the app remains uncertain, with many lawmakers keeping a close eye on developments to determine the best course of action for their social media presence. Capitol News Illinois, a nonpartisan news service, provides coverage of state government news to media outlets across Illinois.
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