Due to privacy concerns, the House of Representatives advised Congressmen and women to stay away from the social media site TikTok.
The chief administrative officer (CAO) of the House recently released a "cyber advisory" on TikTok, which was mentioned in the Politico article.
The CAO stated in the advise that users should keep in mind that TikTok is a Chinese-owned firm when using the platform.
The site, according to the CAO Office of Cybersecurity, posed a "high risk" to its users since it lacked transparency on the protection of customer data. The advice stated that because of these security and privacy risks, "We do not encourage the download or use of this application."
TikTok has the capacity to keep user data, which could possibly be "mined for commercial and private reasons," according to the CAO's recommendation.
The advice outlined the issues, including access to device location, calendar, and photographs, that it said researchers had discovered in relation to TikTok.
Additionally, it stated that the app could gather additional information, like WiFi network names, Apple Mac addresses, individual phone numbers, and more.
The claims made regarding TikTok in the House CAO's advisory "vary from inaccurate to false," according to a statement from a TikTok representative.
"We have requested a meeting to discuss the numerous errors in the advisory, and we look forward to working with them so they can advise Members and staff on specific steps they can take to maintain the security and privacy of their data when using any social platform to connect with constituents," the statement reads.
TikTok complained about the advice in a letter to the CAO that Politico also linked to, requesting that the office "address factual mistakes" and "rescind" its recommendation.
The company has already refuted the "false and deceptive charges," according to TikTok, who claimed in the letter that the warning contained them.