US Intelligence Warns of Potential Chinese Influence via TikTok in 2024 Elections

US intelligence officials are considering the possibility that the Chinese government might use TikTok to influence the 2024 US elections, according to Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines. During a House Intelligence Committee hearing, Haines mentioned that they "cannot rule out" this scenario.

This concern arose after US intelligence agencies highlighted the potential use of TikTok in the 2022 US midterm elections in their annual Threat Assessment report.

A report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) stated that TikTok accounts linked to a PRC propaganda arm targeted candidates from both political parties during the 2022 U.S. midterm election cycle. The acronym PRC stands for the Chinese government.

During a testimony before a House panel on Tuesday, senior US intelligence officials shared this information. This testimony took place before a crucial vote scheduled for Wednesday. The vote will determine if the Republican-controlled House will consider a bill that requires TikTok to separate from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a nationwide ban.

A TikTok spokesperson assured CNN that the platform regularly takes action against deceptive behavior, including covert influence networks worldwide. They have also been transparent in publicly reporting these actions. TikTok has protected its platform during over 150 elections globally and continues to collaborate with electoral commissions, experts, and fact-checkers to ensure the safety of its community during this significant election year.

US national security officials are gearing up for the 2024 US election, anticipating a potentially divisive event where various foreign adversaries such as China, Russia, and Iran may attempt to use social media platforms to interfere with or influence the voting process.

Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have faced criticism from US lawmakers for how they handle foreign disinformation campaigns. However, TikTok has been the main focus on Capitol Hill recently. There is bipartisan support for a bill both on Capitol Hill and from the White House.

During a hearing on Tuesday, FBI Director Christopher Wray expressed concerns about TikTok's algorithm and recommendation system. He emphasized the challenge of detecting and preventing influence operations on the platform, highlighting the significant risk it poses.

Wray and other US officials believe that the Chinese government may influence TikTok's owner ByteDance to misuse its algorithm to spread disinformation to Americans.

TikTok denies these claims, stating on its website that ByteDance is not influenced or controlled by any government or state entity.

Before the House vote on the divestment bill, TikTok launched a public relations campaign to defend itself. The company sent full-screen pop-ups to some users in the app, cautioning that the bill could impact the free expression rights of 170 million Americans who use the platform.

According to a TikTok spokesperson, American employees in leadership positions at TikTok offices in New York, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles were behind the decision to send these messages to users.

TikTok is deeply distrusted among senior national security officials. During a House Intelligence Committee hearing, Wray expressed concerns that the Chinese government may have ordered TikTok to send pop-up notifications. China is known for its aggressive use of online propaganda.

The latest annual Threat Assessment report highlights US intelligence officials' increasing worries about China's escalating use of online propaganda and influence operations to disrupt US democracy. According to the report, China's tactics are becoming more aggressive and sophisticated, resembling those employed by Russia in influence operations. Additionally, China is exploring the use of generative artificial intelligence in its influence activities.

The Chinese government consistently denies accusations from the US about influencing elections.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, they always follow the principle of not interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. They stated, "US general elections are the internal affairs of the US, and it is for the American people to decide who will be their next president."

Chinese leader Xi Jinping assured US President Joe Biden during their November meeting that China would not meddle in the 2024 US presidential election, as per a previous report by CNN.

Despite Xi's assurance, US officials are not being complacent. In December, senior US national security officials conducted an exercise in the White House Situation Room on how to react if a Chinese-produced deepfake video surfaced online right before the election, falsely depicting a Senate candidate destroying ballots, as reported by CNN.

The new annual Threat Assessment report suggests that the Chinese government might try to influence the U.S. elections in 2024. This could be due to their goal of silencing critics of China and exacerbating divisions within U.S. society. Even if Beijing tries to control these activities, there may still be individuals who carry out election influence efforts that align with China's objectives.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the growing concerns among US intelligence officials regarding the potential use of TikTok by the Chinese government to influence the 2024 US elections. Intelligence agencies have noted the use of TikTok accounts linked to Chinese propaganda during the 2022 midterm elections, raising fears of similar interference in the upcoming presidential election. The FBI has expressed concerns about TikTok's algorithm and its ability to spread disinformation, potentially influencing voters. TikTok denies these allegations and assures that it takes action against deceptive behavior.

Despite the denials, senior national security officials remain wary of TikTok's ties to the Chinese government and the potential for it to be used as a tool of influence. The annual Threat Assessment report suggests that China may use online propaganda and influence operations to disrupt US democracy, similar to the tactics employed by Russia. This concern is further heightened by China's exploration of generative artificial intelligence in its influence activities. While China denies interfering in US elections, officials remain vigilant and have conducted exercises to prepare for the potential release of deepfake videos that could impact the election.