House Republicans ask TikTok, Shein, others for info on data privacy, security

TikTok data privacy overview:

• Who: Two Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to TikTok, Alibaba, Shein and other companies based in China.
• Why: They asked the companies to respond to concerns about data privacy, the sale of counterfeit goods and potential human rights violations on their platforms.
• Where: The Shein data privacy letter was sent by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Two House Republicans asked TikTok, Alibaba, Shein and other companies based in China for more information about their efforts to protect data privacy and security, the sale of counterfeit goods and potential human rights violations on their various platforms.

Last month, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Innovation, Data and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis sent letters to TikTok LLC, Shein, Alibaba, and Whaleco Inc.

Social media company TikTok has repeatedly come under fire over concerns about TikTok data privacy. Shein is an online fashion retailer, and Alibaba and Whaleco own online shopping platforms.

Rodgers and Bilirakis say the inquiry is based on concerns related to the companies’ ties with the Chinese Communist Party, which passed several laws requiring all Chinese tech companies to allow party officials access to user data.

In some cases, the CCP also requires Chinese tech companies to build their networks so that the Chinese government has access to them, the letter states.

In addition to TikTok security concerns, the committee seeks information relating to the alleged sale of convincing counterfeit products sold.

“These marketplaces are also a known virtual destination to purchase ‘knock off’ impersonations of goods, that often violate registered patents and trademarks,” the Shein security letter says. Congress passed the INFORM Consumers Act last year to combat the rise of “organized retail theft and the sale of counterfeit and harmful products on marketplaces,” according to the TikTok security letter.

TikTok security letter expresses concerns over potential human rights violations

The committee also expresses concern that the marketplaces are selling hair from Uyghur Muslim women whose heads are allegedly being shaved by the Chinese. The committee seeks to protect against the hair products entering the United States.

Shein is also facing allegations it uses forced labor in its supply chain in violation of U.S. labor laws.

“These lax policies and practices are leaving Americans’ data at risk of theft, leading consumers to unknowingly purchase counterfeit goods,” the letter states. “In addition to these lax policies and practices, it is important to ensure that supply chains are free of forced labor.”

The committee asked the companies to respond to their questions about how they are addressing these issues no later than Jan. 12.

The Pew Research Center recently revealed that a growing number of Americans are getting their news from TikTok.

What do you think about the TikTok and Shein data security concerns? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

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