Tillis calls out Jackson’s use of TikTok: “Beyond reckless”

April 3, 2023

Over the weekend, North Carolina Senator Thom Tills called out Representative Jeff Jackson’s use of TikTok, calling it “beyond reckless.”

As a reminder, Jackson has acknowledged the national security risks of TikTok, saying, “I know TikTok has its own security issues. They’re all legitimate. There are real security issues there.”

And yet, he keeps using the Chinese-owned app.

In case you missed it…

Rep. Jeff Jackson’s use of TikTok ‘beyond reckless,’ says NC Sen. Thom Tillis

The Charlotte Observer

Danielle Battaglia

4/1/2023

Rep. Jeff Jackson’s TikTok popularity may not have Sen. Thom Tillis dancing any time soon. 

Jackson, a Democrat from Charlotte, has accumulated 1.5 million followers and 10.6 million likes on the platform and recently went viral for posting a video simplifying for his audience what led to the collapse on March 10, of two United States banks. But Tillis, a Republican from Huntersville, said in both a tweet and a news release linking to an article about Jackson’s brush with fame, that his colleagues using TikTok were doing so knowing the “security and privacy risks it poses to the North Carolinians.” 

“China is one of the biggest geopolitical threats America has ever faced,” Tillis said. “It’s beyond reckless for members of Congress to still be encouraging their constituents to use TikTok despite knowing the Chinese Communist Party is mining all their personal info. Protecting Americans from the CCP is more important than getting views.”

Tillis’ comments came the same day that the House Committee on Energy and Commerce met for more than five hours to question TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew about the social media platform, it’s connections to China and whether the application posed a risk to Americans.

Tillis said his colleagues need to set an example and stop using the app.

Read more here.