<p>The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the House of Representatives is warning members of Congress about using <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tiktok">TikTok</a> in their official capacity.</p>
<p>In a <a href="https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000182-8757-d843-a79a-c77f59590000">two-page memo</a> to Capitol Hill staffers Wednesday, obtained by Politico, the CAO recommended that members of Congressional offices refrain from downloading or using the Chinese-owned social media app to conduct messaging for the members, citing national security concerns. The CAO memo specifically mentions the app&#8217;s excessive permissions requests, its lack of transparency in how it protects user data, and potential security risks stemming from using the app. It also mentions how the app harvests content for data, including information that could be sensitive.</p>
<p>&#8220;TikTok is a Chinese-owned company, and any use of this platform should be done with that in mind,&#8221; the office wrote in the memo. &#8220;The &#8216;TikTok&#8217; mobile application has been deemed by the CAO Office of CyberSecurity to be a high-risk to users due to its lack of transparency in how it protects customer data, its requirement of excessive permissions, and the potential security risks involved with its use. Additionally, we believe the user base should be aware that this application is known to store users’ Data Location, Photos, and other Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in servers located in China and potentially mined for commercial and private purposes.&#8221;</p>
<p>The memo notes that TikTok &#8220;actively harvests content for identifiable data.&#8221; According to the memo, &#8220;TikTok &#8216;may collect biometric identifiers and biometric information as defined under US laws,&#8217; including &#8216;faceprints&#8217; and &#8216;voiceprints,&#8217; from videos users upload to their platform.&#8221;</p>
<p>The memo also notes that the app automatically collects information about devices that use the app, including location data based on the device&#8217;s SIM card, IP address, and GPS data; information about users&#8217; use of the app, including the content the user creates or uploads; data sent in messages on the app; metadata from uploads; cookies; file names on the device; battery life; and even the user&#8217;s keystroke patterns and rhythms.</p>
<p>The CAO also cited several specific security concerns:</p>
<ul>
<li>Device mapping &#8211; the device can gather all other apps on the phone and retrieve other apps that are running</li>
<li>The app checks the device&#8217;s location every hour</li>
<li>The app has ongoing access to the phone calendar</li>
<li>The app &#8220;continually requests access to contacts until given&#8221;</li>
<li>The app requests external storage access</li>
<li>The app saves images in the device&#8217;s photo album</li>
<li>According to the CAO, the app may also be able to access other information including Wi-Fi networks; Device and SIM card serial numbers; device ID; phone number; GPS information; and the clipboard.</li>
</ul>
<p>&#8220;To reiterate, we do not recommend the download or use of this application due to these security and privacy concerns,&#8221; the memo concluded, citing a separate <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/04/us/tiktok-pentagon-military-ban.html">report</a> from 2020 that military services had already banned the use of the app.</p>
<p>Several Democratic members of Congress who had begun using the app expressed concerns to <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/technology/3596279-house-administrators-warn-lawmakers-against-tiktok-use/">The Hill</a>. “We only just put something up for the first time. So it’s not something I have used extensively. I do have concerns about the company. &#8230; So this is always a dilemma,” New Jersey Rep. Tom Malinowski told the outlet.</p>
<p>“TikTok has been a way to reach young and otherwise disengaged people, but now that we have more details about the security risks of having it on government devices, we will pause on usage until we feel safe and get further clarity,” a spokesperson for New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman added.</p>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

House Chief Administrative Officer Warns Members Of Congress Not To Use TikTok Over Potential Security Risks

CONTINUE READING

Comer Says He ‘Can’t Track Down The Informant’ In Biden Family Investigation

Autistic Grocery Clerk Fired From California Supermarket After He Was Violently Assaulted Three Separate Times: Report

Justice Is…Bovine? Herd Of Cows Helps Round Up Criminal In North Carolina

Gavin Newsom’s Revised Budget Will Make California’s Budget Deficit Worse, Even As State Mulls Enormous Reparations Package

Oklahoma Police Run Toward To Cries For ‘Help’, Coming From A Very Upset Goat

California’s Reparations Committee Wants State To Apologize For Ronald Reagan Coining ‘Welfare Queens.’ Except, He Didn’t.

News

Capitol Hill

China

Cybersecurity

House Democrats

TikTok

U.S. House of Representatives

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News —

House Chief Administrative Officer Warns Members Of Congress Not To Use TikTok Over Potential Security Risks