Israel reportedly pushed TikTok’s US ban.

American TikTok bans increased following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, assault on Israel, not due of national security concerns.

At the Munich Security Conference, Senator Mark Warner and former Congressman Mike Gallagher stated that TikTok’s suspected involvement in propagating anti-Israel sentiment among young Americans prompted fresh legislative attempts. Gallagher said, “People started to see a bunch of anti-Semitic content on the platform, and our bill had legs again.”

Israel’s Contribution to Concerns
Israeli authorities also shaped U.S. worries. Emmanuel Nahshon, Deputy Director General of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, stated in a State Department Memo acquired by NPR that TikTok’s algorithm boosted pro-Palestinian material, increasing young resistance to Israel’s Gaza policy. Senator Mitt Romney said TikTok had more Palestinian-related material than other networks.

In March 2024, U.S. intelligence officials briefed Congress on TikTok as a national security danger. Congresswoman Sara Jacobs told NPR, “Not a single thing we heard was unique to TikTok.” Skepticism notwithstanding, the briefing led to a unanimous committee vote on the prohibition.

TikTok Reacts
Tensions rose as TikTok responded. The network sent a message inviting millions of users to contact Congress, prompting a torrent of calls, some containing self-harm threats. Gallagher said this “proved the point” that TikTok influenced American teenagers.

Insufficient Evidence

No published evidence links TikTok to Chinese espionage or propaganda despite the ban. The Biden administration said it was a national security concern, but it looks to be a campaign to silence foreign policy critics. Americans cannot appeal the judgment since the briefing is secret.