Biden's campaign is tapping into TikTok to engage young voters for the upcoming election, despite mixed opinions about the app among American adults. A recent poll conducted by The Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows a divide, with 31% supporting a nationwide ban on TikTok, 35% opposing it, and 31% remaining neutral. The debate over a potential TikTok ban gained traction last year due to concerns about Chinese laws compromising user data and the spread of propaganda.
However, there has been no concrete evidence provided by the US government or TikTok critics to support these claims. TikTok has defended its data protection measures, stressing its independence from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. While the White House plans to announce measures to protect Americans' personal data from foreign threats, the AP-NORC poll reveals that TikTok users, mainly young individuals, are less worried about data sharing.
About a quarter of daily TikTok users express concerns about Chinese government access to personal information, compared to half of all US adults. The poll also shows that 56% of US adults support a more limited TikTok ban on government devices, in line with actions taken by states, the federal government, and other countries. Despite ongoing security concerns from Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner and some Republicans, the Biden campaign is actively using TikTok to reach younger voters, utilizing a separate phone and additional security measures.
While debates about security continue, the poll highlights that six in ten US adults and 41% of daily TikTok users worry about the amount of time children and teenagers spend on the platform. Concerns about misinformation and dangerous or illegal activities on TikTok are also prevalent, with the company implementing restrictions for minors, though content consumption persists. In response to these concerns, TikTok is stepping up efforts to combat misinformation by partnering with global fact-checking organizations and establishing fact-checking hubs within the app in preparation for the upcoming European Union elections.
English (US)