TikTok just proved to lawmakers how dangerous it really is

Published March 7, 2024 3:07pm ET



Congressional offices were inundated with tens of thousands of phone calls on Thursday from panicked young adults who had received a notification from TikTok warning that the app could be shut down by the federal government. 

“Congress is planning a total ban of TikTok,” the notification said, urging users to call their lawmakers and tell them to “stop a TikTok shutdown.” The app even asked users to enter their ZIP code, which the app then used to list their exact congressional representative and a button that would direct users’ calls to said representative. Some users reported that they had to make the call in order to use the app.

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.