Schumer raises security concerns on TSA’s use of TikTok app

Senate’s top Democrat is raising questions about Transportation Security ministration’s use of China-owned video app TikTok, citing potential national security concerns and a ban by Department of Homeland Security.

Sen. Chuck Schumer raised concerns in a letter Saturday to TSA ministrator David Pekoske, months after news reports that U.S. government launched a national security review of app, which is popular with millions of U.S. teens and young ults.

In his letter, Schumer said national security experts have raised concerns about TikTok’s collection and handling of user data and personal information, locations and or content. He also ted in letter that Chinese laws compel companies to cooperate with China’s government and intelligence collection.

New York Democrat also pointed to a Department of Homeland Security policy that prohibits TikTok on department-issued cellphones.

“Given widely reported threats, alrey-in-place ncy bans, and existing concerns posed by TikTok, feds cant continue to allow TSA’s use of platform to fly,” Schumer said in a statement to Associated Press.

Over last few months, ncy has posted a number of videos on TikTok — some of which have been re-shared on or social media platforms like Twitter and amassed hundreds of thousands of views.

Some of videos are musical parodies about what can and can’t be brought on an aircraft, while ors vertise services like TSA’s expedited screening program kwn as PreCheck. In one of videos, a TSA spokeswoman with Nutella spre on her face is showing different containers of chocolate-hazelnut spre to detail which one can be brought in carry-on lugg.

A spokesperson for TSA did t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.