\n
![](\"https:\/\/readwrite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/tiktok-1-900x561.png\")
<\/p>\n [ad_1]
\n<\/p>\n
On Wednesday (Mar 20), US Senators received a disturbing briefing about TikTok from the FBI, Justice Department and the Director of National Intelligence office.<\/p>\n
As the Senate prepares to vote on a bill that could see TikTok banned<\/a>, senators tell Axios<\/a> that a classified briefing exposed some \u201cshocking\u201d details about the app\u2019s Chinese links and capabilities.<\/p>\n According to one Senator, national security officials detailed how China could not only harvest and track Americans\u2019 data, but also weaponize it through misinformation and propaganda. Another told the outlet of claims that TikTok could spy on users\u2019 microphones, track keystrokes and otherwise \u201cdetermine\u201d what users were doing on other apps.<\/p>\n According to Senator Richard Blumenthal, the briefing\u2019s \u201clevel of detail and specificity was extremely impactful,\u201d while Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) noted that the briefing was useful in \u201cbringing some members up to date with the threats that China poses through TikTok.\u201d Senator Eric Schmitt simply added: \u201cTheir ability to track, their ability to spy is shocking.\u201d<\/p>\n However, despite these concerns, Axios report that there is little chance of the bill being fast-tracked. On March 21, Senator Mark Warner, chair of the Intelligence Committee, said that the bill would take longer than hoped because that\u2019s \u201cjust the way the Senate works.\u201d<\/p>\n But as TikTok\u2019s much-debated ban seems all the more likely, both China and the app are biting back. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin describes the behavior as \u201cbullying,\u201d arguing that \u201cthis kind of bullying behavior that cannot win in fair competition disrupts companies\u2019 normal business activity, damages the confidence of international investors in the investment environment, and damages the normal international economic and trade order.\u201d<\/p>\nTikTok\u2019s ability to spy is shocking<\/h2>\n