Supporting the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act
Dear Congressional Staff,
Human Rights in China is a New York based nonprofit organization with 35 years of experience working in the human rights field. Over the past few years, we have become increasingly alarmed by China’s use of technology, including that of private tech companies, to target and identify human rights defenders and pro-democracy activists. Therefore, we have penned a letter to Congress in support of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which we believe is a necessary step towards protecting the rights of Americans, and everyone in America working towards freedom and democracy. Please see our letter below, and attached as a PDF.
Best regards,
Human Rights in China
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 7, 2024
Dear Members of Congress:
Human Rights in China writes to you today to express our unwavering support for the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, a crucial legislative initiative that address the pressing national security concerns posed by foreign adversary-owned applications, specifically Chinese apps such as TikTok. Foreign adversary-owned applications, like TikTok, serve as conduits for clandestine surveillance and undue influence by foreign adversaries on the American people. Recognizing the severity of this threat, we strongly urge Members of Congress to cosponsor the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.
TikTok poses a serious national security threat as long as it is under ByteDance’s umbrella of ownership. ByteDance is based in China, where the government is able to exert total control over private businesses, and frequently does so as part of its surveillance and propaganda strategies. It has been shown that TikTok, with its vast user base and influence, can manipulated to advance the political agenda of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). TikTok’s viral algorithm could also be utilized to shape and control narratives, enabling foreign adversaries to influence public opinion in ways contrary to democratic values. The app's algorithms and data collection mechanisms also raise serious concerns about privacy and the potential for the misuse of sensitive user information.
Ultimately, we are deeply concerned about all applications under the control of the CCP, whose extreme surveillance and repression of free speech is deeply linked with its control over technology. Human Rights in China has worked with multiple Chinese human rights defenders whose identities were exposed, and their families targeted, merely by signing in to Chinese applications. The Chinese government is aware of the utility of these applications in identifying and targeting pro-democracy activism, and has done so at every opportunity. It is absolutely critical to protect user data from falling into the hands of those would use it to attack democratic values and human rights.
The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act provides a well-considered bipartisan approach to tackle the challenge at hand. The Act empowers the President with new authority to compel foreign adversary-owned apps, such as TikTok, to divest from foreign adversary control. Failure to comply would result in a prohibition on app store availability and web hosting services within the United States.
We respectfully implore Members of Congress to cosponsor this legislation. Your support is vital in safeguarding the rights and security of Americans. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
Sincerely,
Human Rights in China
85 Broad St., Fl. 17
New York, NY 10004
Web: hrichina.org
Contact: communication@hrichina.org
Human Rights in China is a New York based nonprofit organization with 35 years of experience working in the human rights field. Over the past few years, we have become increasingly alarmed by China’s use of technology, including that of private tech companies, to target and identify human rights defenders and pro-democracy activists. Therefore, we have penned a letter to Congress in support of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which we believe is a necessary step towards protecting the rights of Americans, and everyone in America working towards freedom and democracy. Please see our letter below, and attached as a PDF.
Best regards,
Human Rights in China
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 7, 2024
Dear Members of Congress:
Human Rights in China writes to you today to express our unwavering support for the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, a crucial legislative initiative that address the pressing national security concerns posed by foreign adversary-owned applications, specifically Chinese apps such as TikTok. Foreign adversary-owned applications, like TikTok, serve as conduits for clandestine surveillance and undue influence by foreign adversaries on the American people. Recognizing the severity of this threat, we strongly urge Members of Congress to cosponsor the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.
TikTok poses a serious national security threat as long as it is under ByteDance’s umbrella of ownership. ByteDance is based in China, where the government is able to exert total control over private businesses, and frequently does so as part of its surveillance and propaganda strategies. It has been shown that TikTok, with its vast user base and influence, can manipulated to advance the political agenda of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). TikTok’s viral algorithm could also be utilized to shape and control narratives, enabling foreign adversaries to influence public opinion in ways contrary to democratic values. The app's algorithms and data collection mechanisms also raise serious concerns about privacy and the potential for the misuse of sensitive user information.
Ultimately, we are deeply concerned about all applications under the control of the CCP, whose extreme surveillance and repression of free speech is deeply linked with its control over technology. Human Rights in China has worked with multiple Chinese human rights defenders whose identities were exposed, and their families targeted, merely by signing in to Chinese applications. The Chinese government is aware of the utility of these applications in identifying and targeting pro-democracy activism, and has done so at every opportunity. It is absolutely critical to protect user data from falling into the hands of those would use it to attack democratic values and human rights.
The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act provides a well-considered bipartisan approach to tackle the challenge at hand. The Act empowers the President with new authority to compel foreign adversary-owned apps, such as TikTok, to divest from foreign adversary control. Failure to comply would result in a prohibition on app store availability and web hosting services within the United States.
We respectfully implore Members of Congress to cosponsor this legislation. Your support is vital in safeguarding the rights and security of Americans. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
Sincerely,
Human Rights in China
85 Broad St., Fl. 17
New York, NY 10004
Web: hrichina.org
Contact: communication@hrichina.org
