Representative Buddy Carter

China has your Data. why should you care?

If you’ve been following the news this week, then you know that the House, in a major bipartisan vote, advanced a bill that will require the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) controlled company Bytedance to divest from the social media app TikTok.

In the face of what TikTok is dishonestly branding as a “ban,” despite being able to decide for themselves whether to continue providing services in the United States, users have been asking important questions, including: Why should I care if China has my data? And how is TikTok any different than Facebook or other social media apps?

These are important questions that users, especially the young people who primarily use TikTok, deserve answers to. That’s why today, I wanted to take some time to break down why it’s dangerous for the CCP to have your information and how this bill is a necessary step to protect our national security. If you have children, grandchildren, or are yourself a user of TikTok, I’d recommend reading this to better understand the real threats this app poses.

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) National Intelligence Law of 2017 requires its people and businesses to turn over any data it requests in the name of national defense. TikTok’s parent company, Bytedance Technology, is headquartered in Beijing. This means that, by law, TikTok data must be made available to the CCP. This isn’t just a threat; it’s happening. A recent report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence showed that the CCP was using TikTok to target political candidates and influence the 2022 election cycle. We also have proof that TikTok was used to spy on American journalists and surveil American user data. Additionally, internal TikTok recordings have revealed “everything is seen in China” and the CCP “maintained supreme access” to TikTok’s data.

Put simply: if you use TikTok, and the CCP wants your information for any purpose, it’s theirs. It’s concerning enough that the CCP has this level of control over an app used by more than 150 million Americans, but the type of data being collected is even more concerning.

President Trump’s August 2020 executive order on TikTok stated that “TikTok automatically captures vast swaths of information from its users, including Internet and other network activity information such as location data and browsing and search histories.” This type of information would allow China to “track the locations of Federal employees and contractors, build dossiers of personal information for blackmail, and conduct corporate espionage.” Since that executive order was issued, we’ve also learned that the app collects biometric data on its users, such as facial recognition data, which can be used to create deepfakes, among other privacy and security threats.

I understand that TikTok is a popular app, I do. I have grandchildren who love watching dancing and cat videos, and I’ve heard from many people who enjoy the app for recipes, advice, entertainment, education, and more. But TikTok is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It is not a normal social media app, and steps must be taken to protect both the United States and individual users.

We cannot allow the Chinese Communist Party to have this much control over our lives. American children spend, on average, 1 hour and 47 minutes on TikTok every day, soaking in only the content China wants them to see. We must do something about this, which is why I cosponsored and voted in favor of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.

Thank you to all the constituents and TikTok users who called my office over the past few weeks asking for more information about this bill. We can, and must, take a stand against the CCP, and the ball will soon be in TikTok’s court: separate from the CCP, or stop operating in the United States.

Buddy's Briefing

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we are discussing the future of TikTok in America and how we can best protect Americans from foreign adversaries.

From our nation's capitol CDL

Monday, March 11, 2024: This past weekend, I attended the World Forum Conference sponsored by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and held on Sea Island in Glynn County. This annual meeting of business and financial executives, heads of government, government officials, and intellectuals began in 1982 when it was hosted by former President Gerald Ford. Among the events I was able to attend were a general session discussing America in a Disordered World and a discussion between Chrisopher L. Eisgruber and Ben Sasse discussing the state of America’s Universities. Also on Saturday, I had a live interview with Newsmax to discuss the President’s State of the Union (SOTU) address last week and Daylight Savings Time that started yesterday. After a meeting this morning in Brunswick with constituents, I head to the Jacksonville airport for my return trip to Washington and, once back in D.C., I head straight to the offices of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) for a meeting with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael Hogue and his leadership team and a tour of the beautiful facility. Afterwards, I head to my office on Capitol Hill where I meet with staff from the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials (ENV) subcommittee to preview our work for the week before having a District staff meeting followed by meetings with Scheduling staff, Legislative staff, and Communications staff. After heading to our weekly Whip team meeting, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week and remain in the Chamber afterwards where I pay tribute to former Pembroke Mayor Judy Cook for her years of service to the North Bryan County City. Next, I head off Capitol Hill where I speak to members of the Board of Directors of the Independent Pharmacy Cooperative (IPC) who are in town for their annual forum.

Rep. Carter meets with the American Pharmacists Association

Tuesday, March 12, 2024: My morning starts with a meeting of the Border Security Caucus where we hear from Mike Banks, Special Advisor on Border Matters to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who describes for us the overwhelming disaster facing the southern border. Next, I head off Capitol Hill for our weekly GOP member conference before heading to the House Chamber where I pay tribute to King and Prince Seafood on St. Simons Island in Glynn County for their 100^th anniversary in business, Kathryn Hooper McCurry from Savannah who recently passed, Emily Graham from Islands High School in Savannah who was recently selected as Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) teacher of the year, and Georgia State Representative Richard Smith who served as Rules Committee Chair and recently passed. Afterwards, I head to an E&C Health subcommittee markup of 19 bills before heading to my office for a quick meeting with newly elected City of Pooler Mayor Karen Williams, Mayor Pro Tem Aaron Higgins, and Councilman Tom Hutcherson. After meeting with Prime Minister Mark Brown of the Cook Islands and members of the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) to discuss mutual interests concerning critical minerals, I head off Capitol Hill for a meeting with health care representatives. Next, I head back to the Cannon Rotunda where I have a taped interview with Hearst Television (WJCL-TV Savannah) to discuss the TikTok legislation we will be voting on tomorrow. Next, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day and afterwards head to an E&T Communications and Technology (C&T) subcommittee markup of 4 bills before heading back to my office for an all-staff conference call. After heading to our second vote series of the day, I head to a meeting of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) in the Cannon rotunda after meeting off the hill with the Republican Governance Group (RG2). My final event of a very busy day is at the Library of Congress, where I join ClearPath for their 10 years of clean energy Innovation celebration.

Rep. Carter meets with Prime Minister Mark Brown

Wednesday, March 13, 2024: After a meeting off Capitol Hill with members of the energy sector followed by a meeting with the House Conservative Caucus, I head to the House Chamber where I listen to debate on the TikTok bill that we are voting on today, then remain in the Chamber for our final vote series of the day after which I pay tribute to the 200^th anniversary of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade to be held this week in Savannah in Chatham County. Once back in our office, I meet with our office consultant as we prepare for our office staff retreat coming up soon before meeting with newly elected Brunswick City Commissioner Lance Sabbe. Next, I meet with the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders before having a live interview with Bloomberg TV to discuss the TikTok bill that we passed earlier today. After speaking at the Mental Health and Sleep Awareness Week forum, I head back to our office and have a phone conference with the National Park Service to discuss a situation on Cumberland Island. Next, I have a series of meetings including with the National League of Cities (NLC), Georgia Association of Convenience Stores (GACS), Georgia members of the IPC board, Georgia Apartment Association, Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association, National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), and Blue Bird bio company. After a live interview with Claman Countdown on Fox Business to discuss the TikTok bill, I head to the airport for my return trip home and during the drive have a conference call with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for an update on a study they are conducting.

Rep. Carter meets with the Georgia Apartment Association

Thursday, March 14, 2024: I’m in our Brunswick office this morning as I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing and Material Minute as well as a video on the TikTok vote. Afterwards, I have a visit with Hope Collective 1312 for an update and tour of their facility. Supported by area churches, community members, social workers, foster parents, and others, the mission of the collective is to provide tangible hope for children in hard places, particularly those in foster care. Afterwards, I head to the Brunswick meeting of Band of Brothers, an extension of our group in Savannah. Later, I have a phone interview with Fox News Digital to discuss the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQs) bill that I am introducing tomorrow.

Rep. Carter meets with Hope Collective 1312

Friday, March 15, 2024: I’m at our Savannah meeting of Band of Brothers this morning and afterwards head to our Savannah district office where I meet with a constituent regarding local maritime issues. Next, I have a phone interview with a University of Georgia student from Richmond Hill in Bryan County who is writing a paper on federal politics before heading to Thunderbolt where I meet with my good friend Ansley Williams to discuss his experiences in the restaurant business. Afterwards, I head to Skidaway Village Walk on Skidaway Island where I meet with the executive staff of MacroSource, a wholesale distribution company for bulk dry and liquid fertilizers, before having an employee meet & greet as I describe my responsibilities and answer questions. After a great meeting, I head to Madison Square in downtown Savannah where I am honored to participate in the Jasper Greene ceremony that is such an important part of the St. Patrick’s Day weekend celebration.

Rep. Carter speaks at the Jasper Greene ceremony

Votes in the house this week

Click here to see this week's vote sheet in the House of Representatives.