Huntsville Leader

WASHINGTON — Congressman Dale W. Strong expressed his concerns regarding the Chinese Communist Party's influence on American citizens through social media applications like TikTok. The statement came following the House passage of H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.

"The United States has a long history of preventing hostile foreign interest from investing in or setting a national narrative in our country," emphasized Congressman Strong, highlighting the need to address the impact of foreign-controlled platforms on American society.

Referring to the influence of Chinese propaganda on social media platforms, Strong added, "The Chinese Communist Party uses TikTok to place left-wing, anti-American propaganda on the phones of hundreds of millions of Americans." He emphasized the importance of safeguarding national security and the well-being of American citizens in the face of such threats.

Acknowledging the constitutional limitations on government censorship and surveillance, Congressman Strong clarified, "Our constitution prevents the federal government from having the power to censor speech or surveil American citizens." He clarified that the bill in question does not aim at censorship but instead focuses on ensuring that foreign-owned applications operate under different ownership to protect national interests.

The bill, as described by Strong, aims to address concerns raised in the 2024 Annual Threat Assessment released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The report highlighted the CCP's attempts to influence U.S. elections through platforms like TikTok, raising concerns about foreign interference in American political processes.

In conclusion, Congressman Dale W. Strong's statement underscores the significance of protecting American citizens from foreign influence and ensuring the security of the nation's digital landscape.