Senators Call For DOJ Investigation Of Zoom, TikTok

The Department of Justice has been urged to begin an investigation of popular video apps, Zoom and TikTok. In a letter, Senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Joshua Hawley, R-Mo., called on the DOJ to probe the companies over their use of customer data and more.

“We believe that it is imperative that the Department of Justice investigate and determine whether Zoom and TikTok’s business relationships, data handling practices, and operational connections to China pose a risk to Americans,” the letter read.

In making their cases, the senators argued that the two services have exploded in popularity due to the pandemic, with Americans using Zoom for work and personal interactions and turning to TikTok for entertainment options.

“Based on numerous reports, we are extremely concerned that Zoom and TikTok have disclosed private information about Americans to the [People’s Republic of China] and engaged in censorship on behalf of the Chinese government,” the letter continued.

Blumenthal and Hawley also argued that both companies have recently attempted to downplay their affiliations with China. TikTok, owned by Beijing-based company ByteDance, has recently been scouting locations for a new headquarters in the U.S. and U.K. for this purpose.

In response, Zoom issued a statement assuring that it takes consumer trust “extremely seriously” and welcomes any discussion about its policies and business practices. TikTok, meanwhile, emphasized that it stores user data in the U.S. and Singapore, and has frequently reiterated in the past that it does not share data with the Chinese government.