U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-GA, joined Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-WA, in leading efforts to slam Chinese social media company TikTok for “spreading terrorist propaganda and antisemitic content” surrounding Hamas’ attack on Israel. U.S. Rep. Rick Allen, R-GA, was also among the 25 signers on the letter that was sent to TikTok CEO Shou Chew demanding action and answers.
According to Carter, the letter comes as videos on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-connected platform with the hashtag #freepalestine received 946 million views in a 30-day period. More than half of those views came from young adults ages 18-24. At the same time, Carter said, a trend glorifying Osama Bin Laden and the September 1, 2001, attack on Americans garnered millions of views, demonstrating the app’s influence over young users.
The letter states: “On October 7, the Palestinian terrorist organization, Hamas, brutally attacked Israel and killed more than 1,400 people. Since this terrorist attack, disinformation related to the conflict has run rampant on your platform, stoking antisemitism, support, and sympathy for Hamas… Many of the younger generations are turning to TikTok rather than search engines and other verifiable sources for their news. You have led these generations to believe that TikTok is an ‘unfiltered’ news source.”
The members continue: “This deluge of pro-terrorist content is driving hateful antisemitic rhetoric and violent protests on campuses across the country. The CCP has already co-opted your platform, and it seems TikTok and TikTok’s employees are resigned to becoming a mouthpiece for antisemites, terrorists, and propaganda.”
In the letter, it is stated that: “Given that roughly half of TikTok’s U.S. user base is under 25 years old, American youth are being exposed to extremely violent and disturbing images and videos. According to a Harvard/Harris poll, 51 percent of those polled between 18 to 24 believe Hamas was justified in its attack on October 7. This deluge of pro-Hamas content is driving hateful antisemitic rhetoric and violent protests on campuses across the country.”
In closing the letter, the members listed 13 questions and asked for answers and actions by December 4, 2023.
Among the questions are:
● What number of employees at TikTok were formerly employed by ByteDance?
● Prior to, or immediately after, an event like the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel, does TikTok have an internal discussion about the types of content or viewpoints that may arise and require additional supervision or suppression? And if so, who participates in those meetings?
● Does TikTok manipulate the TikTok Creative Center’s “hashtag-search” data before the data is searchable by users?
● How much money has TikTok paid out of its TikTok Creator Fund to creators promoting antisemitic content?
● How does TikTok age-restrict certain content?
