First appearance on Fox: An emerging national security watchdog group launched a multi-million dollar advertising campaign on Wednesday seeking to expose the popular social media platform TikTok as a tool of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
State Armor Action, a 501(c)(4) division of the nonprofit organization State Armor, will spearhead the campaign, which will feature primarily targeted digital and national television advertising. The campaign warns that “TikTok is the Chinese Communist Party” and highlights the role of Zhang Fuping, a Chinese Communist Party official who appears to have held a senior position at TikTok. Parent company ByteDancea $1 billion technology company based in Beijing.
“TikTok is a dangerous and sophisticated communist propaganda and espionage tool, as evidenced by Zhang Fuping’s prominent role as ByteDance’s propaganda director,” said State Armor founder and CEO. CEO Michael Rucci told Fox News Digital. “Communist operatives have direct access to over 100 million cell phones in the United States through TikTok, putting them in a prime position to seriously and malignly influence our everyday discourse and even the 2024 election. ”
“TikTok routinely promotes propaganda aimed at undermining everything Americans hold dear: our family values, our way of life, the mental health of our youth, and the very foundations of our Constitution.” ” Rucci said. “What’s worse is that this flood of ideological brainwashing is directed at especially vulnerable young people.”
Upen, host of Biden’s think tank, receives a surge in donations from China, including from sources affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before a Congressional committee last year about security concerns surrounding the Chinese-owned app. (Fox News)
Critics of TikTok have long called the platform a national security threat. They cite concerns about the ability of the Chinese government to use its power over ByteDance to access sensitive user data, even within the United States, which the company denies.
China hard-liners also warn that the app is gaining popularity among young Americans and giving the ruling Chinese Communist Party a platform for campaigns to influence the masses.
Exclusive: Chinese donors to University Housing Biden think tank have ties to Hunter deal and Chinese Communist Party
“As long as it remains under the control of Fuping, ByteDance and the Communist Party, TikTok is a dangerous tool in the hands of a dangerous enemy and must be removed before it is too late,” Rucci added.
According to various Chinese media reports, Fuping has held a leadership role at ByteDance since 2017 and was previously the company’s editor-in-chief.
March 17, 2023 at the TikTok Inc. building in Culver City, California. (AP Photo/Damien Dovarganes)
In March 2023, TikTok CEO Hsu Chu told lawmakers at a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing that Huping was not his boss and that the two frequently worked together. He said he had nothing to do. Chew added that Fuping is “working on ByteDance’s China business” but “is not TikTok.”
“Zhang Fuping has no role or influence at TikTok,” TikTok wrote in a letter to the commission in May 2023.
Kevin O’Leary proposes to buy TikTok and turn it into a ‘new American company’ if ban goes ahead
Meanwhile, Wednesday’s advertising campaign The House passed a bipartisan bill The vote was 352-65 and could ultimately result in TikTok being banned nationwide. The bill was authored by House CCP Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) and ranking member Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.). – If ByteDance does not withdraw from TikTok within 165 days of passage, TikTok will be blocked in the US.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
ByteDance and TikTok did not respond to requests for comment.
State Armor was founded in January as a national security organization specifically focused on exposing Chinese violations and gathering support for bipartisan legislation aimed at curbing Chinese influence in the United States. It was launched.
Fox News Digital reporter Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.
