The Justice Department and the FBI are investigating whether ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, illegally surveilled journalists, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the matter.
Some reporters for Forbes claim they were tracked through their user data and IP addresses.
ByteDance has said it is investigating the matter internally and will cooperate with any official inquiries.
This investigation comes as the Biden Administration is taking a tougher stance on TikTok, urging the company to sell off the app or face a ban in the US.
Chinese officials have denied that the app threatens national security, and TikTok is set to send some creators to Washington next week as lawmakers and intelligence officials express concerns about privacy and Chinese propaganda on the app.
The head of TikTok is scheduled to testify in front of Congress for the first time next week, which is expected to be an explosive hearing.
