Tech with ties to China: What to avoid

Color me surprised that TikTok hasn’t been banned in the U.S. yet. Can’t stop using it? Take this simple step to keep your data from going back to China.

It’s not just apps. More than a third of the world’s electronics are produced in China. There’s a difference between products made in China and those made by companies with ties to the Communist Chinese government.

Now, before we dive in, know that there are plenty of allegations the companies below have government ties, but it’s up for debate how much the Chinese government is genuinely involved in operations. I’m sharing this to help you make more informed decisions on what you purchase and use daily.

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Apps reporting back to China

TikTok is a dominant force. More than 138 million Americans use the video-sharing app owned by a company called ByteDance. 

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said ByteDance must comply with Chinese government laws. FBI Director Chris Wray said TikTok could be used for “influence operations” and that user data is in the hands of the Chinese government.

That’s not just conjecture. Late last year, TikTok was forced to admit that it used this same data to spy on individual Americans, including journalists. Without question, TikTok is a Trojan Horse. 

At least 27 states and the federal government have banned the use of the app on government devices. My advice: If you or someone in your family insists on using TikTok, install it on a separate device, like an old smartphone. Don’t connect that device to your home network. Use a cellular connection to get online.

Several states have also banned a few other Chinese-owned apps and platforms. This list includes Weibo, WeChat, and Alibaba.

Security tip: Are you making this huge Wi-Fi mistake?

Smartphones with a line to Communist China

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