First TikTok, Now Nvidia—U.S. Continues To Tighten National Security

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 25: U.S. President Joe Biden participates virtually in a meeting on the … [+] Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act, in the South Court Auditorium at the White House on July 25, 2022 in Washington, DC. The meeting was held for President Biden to hear from CEOs and labor leaders on the way funding for production of computer chips would impact them. The meeting was also attended by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, Brian Deese, Director of the National Economic Council and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

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Geopolitical tension between the U.S. and China continues to ensue. With continuous efforts to secure America’s supply chain and increase national security to upend China’s dominance in the manufacturing and technology sectors, the U.S. government is doubling down on its measures to ensure America’s safety and economic prosperity.

Earlier this year, we saw TikTok’s CEO Shou Chew appear before Congress to defend the popular social media platform against concerns of national security due to its alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party. With over 150 million American users—half of the U.S. population, lawmakers’ skepticism over TikTok’s ability to protect user data sparked a heated debate on whether TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance—a Chinese-owned company—would be forced to cooperate with China if requested to fork over data of U.S. citizens. During the congressional hearing, House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash) said, “TikTok surveils us all and the Chinese Communist Party is able to use this as a tool to manipulate America as a whole…We do not trust TikTok will ever embrace American values. Your platform should be banned.”

Just months after the viral showdown between TikTok and Congress, the fight over national security concerns has not abated. Refusing to relent on perceived threats of national security, the U.S. government continues to hammer down guardrails to secure the nation—now, with increased restrictions on AI chip exports to China.