The TikTok Debate: Ban or Regulate?

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez faced criticism for defending TikTok after it was revealed that the app's Chinese-owned parent company, ByteDance, gave six-figure donations to Black and Hispanic caucus non-profits. AOC argued against banning TikTok and instead called for regulating social media companies' data collection practices. Critics accused her of echoing TikTok's talking points and ignoring the app's true threat: CCP-directed disinformation. The disclosures also show ByteDance transferred smaller amounts to other organizations, including the right-leaning Ripon Society.