Far-left ‘Squad’ member touts Chinese language-owned TikTok, calls criticism of it ‘xenophobia’

Rep. Jaamal Bowman, D-N.Y., dismissed criticism of the Chinese language-owned app TikTok as “fearmongering” and “xenophobia” throughout a current interview and mentioned he hasn’t seen proof of Chinese language espionage. 

“There are a lot of apps on our telephones proper now which might be Chinese language apps. And so the concept, ‘Oh, TikTok is the boogeyman’ — it’s simply a part of a political fearmongering that’s occurring,” the far-left “Squad” member of Congress informed NBC Information. 

Bowman in contrast criticism of the app to GOP “fearmongering” on the thought of an “open border” and the debt restrict. He additionally mentioned it needed to do with “xenophobia round China.”

The New York congressman is planning to carry a press convention alongside TikTok creators on Wednesday to defend the favored app.

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“It is a house the place these creators have discovered a platform to share their concepts, their inspirations, their ideas, their voices with the remainder of the nation and the remainder of the world. And why will we wish to take that away?” Bowman mentioned. “Why do we have to ban a platform that 150 million Individuals now use?”

Bowman, who makes use of the app ceaselessly, has additionally mentioned he does not see any proof of Chinese language espionage. 

“I haven’t seen any onerous proof that TikTok is committing some type of espionage,” he argued. “What I’ve heard is concept. And what I’ve heard is innuendo.”

A number of Republican-led states have banned the app on authorities gadgets amid nationwide safety issues.

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Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., has referred to as for a TikTok ban within the U.S. and argued that it poses a menace to nationwide safety.

“TikTok can be utilized as a propaganda mechanism for the Neighborhood Social gathering of China,” Warner mentioned. “That, I consider, is a nationwide safety concern.”

“After we take a look at American corporations like Fb wanting the opposite method in 2016 when Russia colluded to influence our election — Fb is a nationwide safety danger. We’re not speaking a few ban on Fb,” Bowman additionally informed NBC Information. He added that it’s “ill-advised” to zero-in on TikTok. 

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The Democratic consultant additionally mentioned banning TikTok could possibly be problematic for the Democratic Social gathering. 

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