McCAUL WARNS TEXAS LEGISLATORS TO NOT MAKE SOCIAL MEDIA LEGISLATION TOO BROAD

  

U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul is telling Texas lawmakers to avoid taking any potential legislation that restricts certain social media usage too far.

McCaul, who sponsored a bill targeted at the app TikTok, owned by a Chinese-based company, told The Texas Tribune that he has urged state legislators to not proceed with bills that could discriminate against those who are “fleeing oppression” from other countries, and to instead keep their focus on national security and preventing possible espionage.

McCaul’s Deterring America’s Technological Adversaries (DATA) Act would require federal actions to protect sensitive personal data of U.S. citizens, particularly prohibiting the transfer of that data to Chinese influences.  The bill would seek to determine if TikTok or its parent company, ByteDance, ever provided sensitive data to the Chinese government, and if that is the case, prohibit the app in the U.S.

Legislation in Texas from Representative Jared Patterson (R-Frisco) would prevent social media platforms from operating in the state if they are developed by a governmental entity, company or individuals who are citizens of China, Iran, North Korea or Russia.  The bill drew criticism from Chinese Americans, who have testified to the Texas House about their usage of the Chinese app WeChat to remain in touch with family and friends in China, since other platforms like Facebook are banned there.

McCaul said his views on foreign ownership of Texas lands are similar, telling the Tribune to make any form of state legislation addressing that to be “targeted towards CCP (Chinese Community Party)-owned-and-operated enterprises.”

Last month, at a hearing with the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew denied that any data was being shared with China’s government, adding that the app is working on a plan called “Project Texas” to coordinate with Austin-based corporation Oracle to store all U.S. user data with them.