IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 14, 2024

Press Contact
Chairman Ben Proto

LARSON, HAYES AND HIMES FAIL TO PROTECT AMERICANS FROM CHINESE INFLUENCE

MIDDLETOWN — Yesterday, the United States House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to approve legislation which bans any social media platform, including TikTok, from use in the United States unless it was sold to a U.S. entity. TikTok, a social media application owned and controlled by ByteDance, a China-based company, is among the most used social media platforms in the world.

“When it came time to protect Americans, and their personal data and wellbeing, John Larson, Jahana Hayes and Jim Himes, failed the call, and voted to protect the Chinese company that is regularly
collecting personal information and data on Americans” said Connecticut Republican Party Chairman, Ben Proto.

“It has been well documented that [Chinese Owned] TikTok regularly collects all types of personal information, from contact and calendar information, geolocation information, passwords, etc, all of
which can be used to harm Americans” said Proto. “Americans know we are in an economic war with China, yet Larson, Hayes and Himes think it’s OK to help our adversary gather more and more information on Americans and our personal lives.”

The legislation goes to the Senate where it faces an uncertain future.

“I call on Senators Chris Murphy and Dick Blumenthal to lead the charge to pass this important legislation” continued Proto. “Senator Murphy has recently talked about drafting and supporting legislation to help reduce the level of loneliness and depression Americans, particularly American kids, are suffering. This is the perfect opportunity for Senator Murphy to step up, put partisan politics aside, and support this legislation. We know the impact that social media platforms have on our children, and TikTok is among the most harmful.”

“This legislation has huge bipartisan support in the House of Representatives, it is truly unfortunate that John Larson, Jahana Hayes, and Jim Himes could not see the importance of this legislation and chose China over America. I am hopeful that Chris Murphy and Dick Blumenthal will get on board and protect
Americans” concluded Proto.

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