Tennessee U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) released a statement on Wednesday slamming a new report detailing the Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok’s interest in permanently moving its Nashville operations into a new office building in Music Row.
“Tennesseans do not want Communist China to set up shop in our backyard,” Blackburn said. “TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is tied to the Chinese Communist Party by strict laws in Beijing that force companies to hand over users’ personal data. TikTok’s collaboration with China-based ByteDance all but confirms they are surrendering millions of Americans’ personal information directly into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party. This is not only a violation of user privacy, but a tremendous threat to our national security.”
“We do not want TikTok operating anywhere in the United States, especially not in our state,” Blackburn added.
This is not only a violation of user privacy, but a tremendous threat to our national security. We do not want TikTok operating anywhere in the United States, especially not in our state.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) January 24, 2024
The Tennessee senator’s statement was released following a report by the Nashville Business Journal, which claims TikTok “is eyeing at least a 100,000-square-foot lease in Music Row’s Moore Building.”
Citing “multiple real estate sources,” the outlet notes that the social media giant has been “operating its Nashville office out of the WeWork located at downtown’s One Nashville tower since entering the local market in 2021.”
In the Volunteer State, Governor Bill Lee signed a bill banning TikTok from state government-owned devices.
Lee also signed a bill last year that prohibits Tennessee public higher education institutions from allowing access to social media platforms owned, operated, or hosted by a company based in China – including TikTok – on the state’s internet network.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has also been an outspoken critic of TikTok, as the state’s top legal officer is actively pursuing a lawsuit against the social media giant, investigating whether or not the Chinese company “engaged in deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable conduct that harmed the mental health of TikTok users, particularly children and teens.”
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Marsha Blackburn” by Marsha Blackburn.
KEEP TIKTOK out of AMERICA. I think it should be banned from America. They are assisting in warping our children’s morals, self esteem & confidence in their own sexuality.
While you’re at it get rid of Jeff Zuckerbergs data processing plant in Lebanon. Is he going to be processing votes from our voting machines? Why has he purchased 240+ acres in rural Trousdale Co. Will he sell it to China? China owns him. He has never been held accountable for his election Interference to the tune of 100s of millions of dollars he poured into swing states & actually took over the election processes.
He just as much a commie as TIKTOK.
People your selling out our country to our enemies. China has purchased a lot of Tennessee land. They’ve been doing it for decades. Pretty soon they will own our country. Where Did Protection of our country & treasure go? Are we selling our country to China? One business at a time? One acre at a time?
XiXing Ping has a 50 year plan to take over AMERICA.
WHY ARE WE HELPING THEM?