It appears that the Chinese Communist Party is actively engaged in hacking, spying, and surveilling the United States and its citizens.
Examples of their surveillance capabilities continue to grow, from the well-known spy balloon to the ban on Huawei-manufactured cell phones and communication equipment, as well as the extensive data collection by TikTok on Americans. These actions reveal a malicious intent to manipulate and undermine our country.
Fortunately, Montana has taken a proactive stance against the CCP. It was the first state to ban the Chinese-owned app TikTok, a decision later echoed by the federal government. In May 2023, Governor Greg Gianforte signed a bill preventing Montana entities from selling or leasing agricultural land, critical infrastructure, and homes near military installations to foreign adversaries, particularly the CCP.
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However, these measures may not be sufficient to shield Montanans from China’s escalating encroachment. Concerns have been raised about the CCP’s newest infiltration and data-gathering app, the retail platform Temu.
Temu, headquartered in China and aligned with the CCP, already operates on over 100 million American phones. This platform, known for its intrusive nature, collects extensive personal information from American consumers and accesses nearly all phone data. It mirrors TikTok’s tactics and poses similar risks to Americans.
Chinese companies like Temu likely constitute a coordinated effort to gather targeted data on foreign users to support misinformation campaigns and state propaganda abroad, as stated by The Washington Post.
Temu is obligated to provide data to the CCP under China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law, granting Beijing unrestricted access to sensitive U.S. information. Moreover, in 2023, the company faced a malware scandal resulting in a suspension from the Google Play Store.
While TikTok has grabbed recent headlines, equal attention and scrutiny should be directed towards Temu. Given Temu’s popularity and significant marketing budget, action is crucial to protect Americans from this new threat.
With the support of our federal delegation, Montanans can push back against the CCP’s predatory behaviors and demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding ourselves and our communities.
With Temu posing a similar threat as TikTok, swift federal intervention is needed to address Temu effectively.
Sen. Shelley Vance represents Senate District 34 in Bozeman. She carried the successful SB 419 in 2023 to ban TikTok in Montana.
