Congressional proposals to address Chinese ownership of the popular app go well beyond the hearing soundbites. Let’s explore.
Tik-Tok bills could dangerously expand national security state
An agent shows up at the home of the Twitter files journalist who testified before Congress.
The IRS Makes a Strange House Call on Matt Taibbi
from the but-this-is-the-system-Congress-wants…. dept
The FBI has long enjoyed its close relationship with the NSA… or at least the NSA’s collections. Data and communications collected under the NSA’s Section 702 program contain plenty of “incidental” snooping on Americans. That’s because even though it’s a foreign-facing collection, Americans who communicate with people outside of the United States are swept up in the dragnet.
Congressional Rep Who Discovered His Info Was Illegally Searched By The FBI Likely Has No Legal Remedy
“Well that’s unfortunate. If only he were part of some kind of body that had the power to change the law.” [1]
I don’t know why I hate TikTok, I just know I’ve recently seen story after story about how bad it is on Twitter and in my Facebook feed, and now I’m very angry about it and want it banned.
Congress must ban TikTok. Only American companies can profit from my data.
The following is an unhinged rant with a hint of sarcasm (forgive me as I’m not a talented writer):
Just listened to the stupidest press conference with Moms Against Liberty (Moms For Liberty, rebranded as Moms Against TikTok), Libs of TikTok, Heritage Foundation, and select members of Congress. Feigning concern about liberty, and children’s rights, they’re calling for a ban on TikTok!
Rep. Troy Nehls called for the creation of an app, called “AmeriTok”, that advocates for gun ownership, limited government, responsible cigar smoking, freedom, individual rights, and liberty (the irony of advocating for freedom and liberty while calling for censorship)! He seems quite jealous that China puts time limits on children being on social media! Why not advocate for a similar law, considering kids could spend just as much time on Facebook or Instagram (or maybe leave parenting to the parents)?!
The astroturfed Moms Against Liberty campaign has been calling for book bans the last few years! Tell me how you can claim to advocate for freedom and liberty, when you are calling for censorship?! Besides, what will Libs of TikTok do if TikTok is officially banned, besides inciting others to violence?! Banning TikTok sets a dangerous precedent! I doubt that these people are true to their beliefs on children’s rights, though, or else they’d be advocating for a ban on Facebook and Instagram, as well! Of course, this has nothing to do with TikTok, except that Facebook can’t compete!
These radical conservatives are just as bad as those on the ‘radical left’ that they rail against! Their hypocrisy about social media privacy is astounding (trying to figure out how cigar smoking is safer for kids than TikTok)!
from the the-1st-amendment-still-matters dept
Freedom of speech and association include the right to choose one’s communication technologies. Politicians shouldn’t be able to tell you what to say, where to say it, or who to say it to.
The US Government Has Not Justified A TikTok Ban
Tucker Carlson accused the NSA of spying on his personal communications when he tried to schedule an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin. I can corroborate his story.
I am the “US-based Kremlin intermediary” that tried to help Tucker Carlson book an interview with Putin
TikTok defenders emerge in Congress
The other side: Reps. Mary Miller (R-Ill.), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) and Troy Nehls (R-Texas) are holding a competing “Moms Against TikTok” press conference at the Capitol on Thursday to press for a ban.
The speakers include a staffer for the conservative Heritage Foundation and Chaya Raichik, the operator of “Libs of TikTok.”
Related Notes:
Read More »You may have heard that the Biden administration has told TikTok that it must be divested from ByteDance or it will be banned in the US. At least that’s what TikTok said the administration has said. The end result of this might well be that ByteDance divests of TikTok, but we should be clear: the threat, and any potential block, would be a clear, blatant, dangerous violation of the 1st Amendment.
Yes, The US Government Threatening To Block TikTok Violates The 1st Amendment
Previously:
The US government is trying to force ByteDance to sell TikTok
By Chris Menahan | Information Liberation | March 5, 2023
“The Free State of Florida” is set to have the most oppressive hate crime laws in America in order to “combat anti-Semitism.”
Florida GOP Declares War On The First Amendment to ‘Combat Anti-Semitism’
Related:
A Neo-Nazi Troll Network Is Making Money Abusing Jews
What is the National ‘Day of Hate?’ Police warn Jewish communities to be vigilant this weekend
Ms. Cat’s Chronicles 
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