John,
Last week, I stood at the steps of the Capitol to speak out on behalf of the millions of people and businesses whose livelihoods would be devastated by Congress' decision to single-out and ban TikTok. Why? Because it's a thinly-veiled attempt by my GOP and moderate colleagues to generate political fear and distrust, while silencing the voices of millions.
John, an all out ban of TikTok could pave the way for even more hasty and ill-informed decisions on our data-safety and freedom of speech in the future. That's why I am standing beside the millions of users and creators who want to protect TikTok. If you are with us in this fight, please add your name to stand in solidarity with TikTok.
Americans use a multitude of different Chinese-owned apps and picking TikTok is another effort by conservative politicians to spread fear and hatred. We haven't seen any hard evidence that TikTok is committing some form of espionage — but what we have heard is speculation and innuendo.
Republicans have created a "red-scare" around China, and picking TikTok is only an extension of the ill-informed sinophobia that has run rampant in our democracy for far too long. Our data is already being bought and sold by data brokers. We need to create comprehensive legislation to protect Americans' data.
Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media sites have allowed lies and misinformation to live and spread on their platforms and were involved in the insurrection, yet no other members of Congress called to have them banned.
Our First Amendment gives us the right to speak and communicate freely. 150 million Americans use TikTok to connect with communities and learn from one another. And over 5 million small businesses have grown their platforms and presence to support themselves during a time when our economy is struggling in so many ways. This is not a threat — but clear misinformation and fear mongering is.
That's why I am standing up to support TikTok, uplift its creators, and protect the users. I, along with my colleagues, will remain steadfast in our commitment to building a safe, secure, and innovative platform that our community of 1 billion strong have come to know us for.
Peace and love,
Jamaal Bowman
