Marco Rubio Brings Out Bill to Force More Restrictions, Tougher Standards on TikTok, WeChat

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., wants tougher standards and more restrictions on some foreign software and apps, including WeChat and TikTok thanks to their connections to the Chinese regime.

Last week, Rubio brought out the  “Adversarial Platform Prevention (APP) Act” which “would establish a set of data protection and censorship related standards and restrictions that must be met by high-risk foreign software…in order to legally operate in the United States.” Rubio’s bill would have warning labels on those programs and apps and ensure there are annual public disclosures from the companies running them.

The APP Act would also target software from Cuba, Russia and Venezuela as well as China.

Rubio weighed in on his proposal last week.

“High-risk foreign apps and software, like Chinese-owned TikTok and WeChat, pose a threat to personal privacy and U.S. national security,” Rubio said. “It is clear that we must establish a framework of standards that must be met before a high-risk, foreign-based app is allowed to operate on American telecommunications networks and devices. The APP Act does just that, and I hope my colleagues will join me in adopting a more expansive approach to protecting Americans’ user data and our security.”

Rubio’s bill was sent to the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee last week. So far, he has not reeled in any cosponsors. There is no companion measure over in the U.S. House.

Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.