Sen. Josh Hawley Writers To Janet Yellen, Advocates For Ban On TikTok Citing Influence On Young Americans During Ongoing Israel-Hamas War

Amidst the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has taken a firm stance against ByteDance-owned TikTok, advocating for its ban in the U.S.

What Happened: He called for a ban on TikTok in the U.S., citing concerns over the social media platform’s content moderation policies during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. In a letter addressed to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Hawley expressed his apprehensions.

A report by The Hill revealed that the Senator is wary of the influence TikTok could have on young Americans’ understanding of global events. 

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"According to one poll, 51% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 believe that Hamas's murder of civilians was justified — a statistic notably different from other age cohorts," Hawley wrote in his letter, the report noted, citing NBC News. 

Hawley also criticized the absence of a thorough examination by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), chaired by Yellen, regarding ByteDance’s acquisition of TikTok. 

He emphasized the need for immediate action, recalling TikTok’s previous collusion with the Chinese government for surveillance and censorship purposes.

This push for prohibition is part of a larger narrative where Congress and technology specialists argue that TikTok’s content often leans towards a pro-Palestinian narrative. 

Hawley’s proposition is in line with his consistent legislative efforts to implement a nationwide ban on the app, amidst persistent concerns over security and privacy related to TikTok’s U.S. operations.

Why It Matters: The scrutiny against TikTok has been escalating, as seen in recent developments where state attorneys general have supported measures against the platform. 

In September 2023, a coalition led by Virginia backed Montana’s TikTok ban, which would commence on Jan. 1. The ban has received the endorsement of eighteen state attorneys general, with concerns circling around deceptive practices and threats to user privacy and national security.

Previously, billionaire investor Bill Ackman also called on social media moguls like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg to rectify divisive algorithms on their platforms, while also advocating for a closer inspection of TikTok’s sway.

His comments came, following an incident involving an antisemitic tirade at Harvard University, Ackman highlighted the necessity for a world free of “mindless hate,” suggesting that a ban on TikTok might be a step in that direction.

Photo by Eliseu Geisler on Shutterstock

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