Scott Statement on Vote to Protect Americans’ Data and National Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott issued the following statement after voting for H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act:

“This week, Members of Congress were given a classified briefing on the national security threats caused by foreign adversary control of communications applications and their ability to easily purchase Americans’ data and influence public opinion. This bill does not ban TikTok, but instead requires the Chinese parent company, ByteDance Ltd., to divest from TikTok within 180 days. It is my expectation that they will in fact divest in a timely manner and American users should be able to continue to use TikTok and other similar platforms, without the associated risks of an app being owned and operated by a foreign adversary of the United States. Congress must continue working to hold Big Tech companies accountable to protect Americans’ data, ensure our anti-trust laws are enforced to avoid media and tech monopolies, and avoid foreign adversaries manipulating public opinion, especially during elections.”

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