The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, for possible surveillance of U.S.
journalists, according to sources.
The FBI and federal prosecutors are involved in the investigation, which is looking into whether ByteDance spied on journalists who cover the technology industry.
ByteDance has acknowledged that four of its employees inappropriately obtained data of some U.S.
TikTok users, including two journalists.
The company has condemned the actions of those involved and said they are no longer employed.
However, the Biden administration has expressed concerns over China’s potential use of software platforms that could threaten America’s safety and national security.
The administration has pushed ByteDance to sell the app or face a possible ban.
Experts say that even a nationwide ban may not stop TikTok from collecting Americans’ data.
The concern is that the harvested data could end up in China, where it could be used to influence individuals’ daily lives.
