OpenAI Investor Vinod Khosla Supports TikTok Divestiture, Likens App To 'Programmable Fentanyl' Under CCP Control

Billionaire and early OpenAI investor Vinod Khosla has supported the forced divestiture of TikTok from its parent company, ByteDance, based in China. Khosla referred to the social media platform as China’s ‘programmable fentanyl’.

What Happened: Khosla expressed concerns about TikTok’s potential misuse by foreign adversaries. He suggested that the platform could be exploited to manipulate US citizens and further the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) agenda. Khosla wrote in an op-ed for the Financial Times on Tuesday.

“Neither I nor my firm stands to gain or lose anything on the back of this bill’s outcome, but I can see how TikTok can be weaponized by a foreign adversary, Khosla said.

Khosla pointed out China’s double standards, noting that Chinese TikTok users face restrictions that are not imposed on users elsewhere. He compared TikTok to ‘programmable fentanyl’, a product under CCP’s control.

Khosla also compared TikTok and Huawei routers, which were banned in the U.S. due to national security concerns. His concerns align with the sentiments of many Americans, as a Pew Research Center survey revealed that 60% perceive the platform as a national security threat.

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According to the report, representatives for TikTok and the Chinese foreign ministry have not yet responded to these allegations.

Why It Matters: Khosla’s criticism of TikTok comes in the wake of his recent comments on the AI industry. In March, Khosla publicly criticized Elon Musk for suing OpenAI, an AI research organization Musk co-founded, calling it a case of "sour grapes."

He further stated that one cannot simply sue their way to achieving artificial general intelligence, a remark made against the backdrop of Musk's legal battle with OpenAI.

The potential U.S. ban on TikTok comes at a time when ByteDance is experiencing strong profits, with a 60% year-over-year increase.

The proposed legislation compelling Chinese divestment of TikTok was pushed by U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who described TikTok as a significant threat to America’s children.

Khosla’s stance on TikTok and his recent comments on OpenAI highlight his concerns about the misuse of technology and its potential implications on national security.

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