US FCC Commissioner Wants Apple And Google To Take Down TikTok From Their Stores

A member of the United States Federal Communications Commission has asked tech giants Google and Apple to remove the TikTok app from their respective stores in fears that user intel is being fed towards China.
Brendan Carr posted a tweet following a report from BuzzFeed News that revealed personal data belonging to US-based TikTok users had been accessed from within China several times.
Within his tweet, Carr said that “TikTok is not just another video app”, adding “that’s just the sheep’s clothing”. He points out that he’s spoken to representatives from both Google and Apple regarding his request for the app to be immediately removed from both their respective online stores, while adding a number of images from an official letter he sent to both companies to his post.
TikTok is not just another video app.
That’s the sheep’s clothing.It harvests swaths of sensitive data that new reports show are being accessed in Beijing.
I’ve called on @Apple & @Google to remove TikTok from their app stores for its pattern of surreptitious data practices. pic.twitter.com/Le01fBpNjn
— Brendan Carr (@BrendanCarrFCC) June 28, 2022
In the letter, Carr goes on to say that there have been a number of other reports that show “concerning evidence and determinations regarding TikTok’s data practices”, such as cases discovered by researchers where the app bypassed all safety nets on Android and iOS devices to gain access to private information. Carr went as far as to describe TikTok as a “risk to national security”.
It’s worth mentioning that TikTok belongs to Chinese company ByteDance. However, a few hours before the report came to light, the social media platform had announced that they were migrating all traffic coming from the US to their new Oracle Cloud Infrastructure as a means to address concerns raised from people within the nation regarding the use of their personal data.
Additionally, while this report does seem to touch on some very serious topics, Carr is a Republican member within a marginally Democrat-run FCC board, which means that his standalone request towards the two tech firms Google and Apple to take down TikTok doesn’t seem to hold much ground in the long run.
That being said, the US Commissioner has given the two companies until July 8th to come up with a response.
Latest News

TBWA\Melbourne, Thinkerbell & More Announced As Finalists For The Rigg Design Prize 2022
The first major exhibition of advertising and communication design in the NGV’s history, The Rigg Design Prize 2022 highlights the creativity underpinning the work of eight leading Australian-based agencies. For the exhibition, each agency will develop a suite of campaign assets – including billboards, street posters and moving image – to celebrate how creativity can […]

Queen Charles Launches In Sydney, Aiming To Shake Up The Consultancy Market
After 11 months of quietly building up their new business Queen Charles, Alex Carr (pictured, left) and Jon Kelly (pictured, right) have finally found enough time to launch their brand and experience consultancy to the wider market. Based in Sydney, Queen Charles aims to help businesses of all shapes and sizes consistently stand out and […]

The Stock Merchant Provisions And The Offices Launch Colourful New Canned Fish Packaging
Canned fish is a top source of omega-3 fats & B2, B3, B6 and B12, all while giving you the halitosis of a stray cat.

“Means F@cking Nothing!” Tony Armstrong Talks Winning A Logie
Surely if there's anything sacrosanct in the Australian TV industry it's Bert's wigs, Kerri-Anne's Botox & the Logie?

9News Perth Pinches Gareth Parker As News Director
Gareth Parker promising more Eagles, Freo and iron ore stories, as he moves to new role at 9News Perth.

Teal MP Sophie Scamps Takes Aim At Junk Food Advertising
Junk food advertising to kids back under the spotlight. Yet again, bad parenting choices escaping said spotlight.

“Grow Some Balls!” Snickers Facing Global Boycott Following Snivelling Chinese Apology Over Taiwan
Of all the potential triggers for WWIII, few would've suspected it would be the nutty, caramelly goodness of a Snickers.

Total TV Advertising Market Up 11%, As BVOD Continues To Surge
TV ad spends prove to be in rude health. Which should translate to even ruder long lunches for TV bosses.

Michael Bass Named New Chief Trading Officer For Dentsu APAC
Dentsu International has announced the appointment of Michael Bass (pictured) as chief trading officer, media, Dentsu Asia Pacific. With over 20 years’ experience, Bass’ career has included a range of senior investment and trading roles across the media sector. Bass spent seven years at IPG Mediabrands as trading director of Initiative and subsequently moved on […]

Sunday TV Wrap: The Block Hammers Out The Competition In Big Debut
The Block debuts to strong numbers, as Scott Cam set to publish his collected works of Logies acceptance speeches.

The Block’s Regional Move Translates To More Regional Viewers
Say what you like about COVID, but it's certainly made the regionals cool again. Not that anyone's watching Landline.

The Masked Singer Capitalises On Our Neighbours Nostalgia With First Reveal
Masked Singer, MKR, The Block! B&T didn't know where to turn last night until Commonwealth Games javelin won our hearts.

Streets And Asembl Join Forces To Create Ice-Cream-Scented Candles
Arguably the most thoughtless present ever - the ubiquitous scented candle - now comes in your favourite ice-creams.

WPP Reports $11.8B In Sales In The First Six Months Of 2022, But Aussie Ops Prove A Drag
WPP unveils impressive half years and, yes, B&T has again converted the pounds to dollars for your reading delectation.

Car Insurer ROLLiN And Bear Meets Eagle On Fire To Highlight Hip Hop History In New Project
This is certainly a new approach for a car insurer & welcome respite from the meerkats & AAMI's fake call centre women.

New Decoding Crypto Series Lands On Nova Podcast
Markedly improve your crypto skills and possibly your prattishness too with this new Nova podcast.

Coopers Unveils New Look, The First In 20 Years
Coopers disproves the theory you can't mess with perfection, revealing rebrand for its splendiferous ale.

Domino’s Teases New Burger-Themed Pizza Range Via It’s Friday
Domino's set to tread on the competition's toes with new burger pizza range. Hopes not high for the pizza Filet-O-Fish.

CHEP Brisbane Launches Bridal Range For Michael Hill Jeweller
Okay, so Michael Hill Jeweller isn't the poshest place for an engagement ring, but it's a step up from Cash Converters.

Russel Howcroft Re-Signs To Stay With 3AW Breakfast Until 2026
Can't stand the thought of waking up to Russel Howcroft? Best keep the dial well away from Melbourne's 3AW.

The Masked Singer Is Back And It Is A Bonkers Extravaganza
The Masked Singer is one part singing competition, one part guessing game & one part the nightmares of your childhood.

Icon Agency Rockets Into PRovoke APAC Fast Movers Rankings Top Five
Integrated communications firm Icon Agency has been ranked the fourth fastest growing agency in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, according to the 2022 PRovoke PR Agency ‘Fast Movers’ rankings. Icon’s fee income for calendar 2021 grew 84.3 per cent, making it the fastest-growing and largest independent agency in Australia. The Melbourne-based indy was ranked […]

Paris Hilton And Sky Ferreira Charging Fans $377 NFT To Watch New Horror Flick
Paris Hilton charging fans $377 to watch her new horror movie. Some prepared to pay as much as $500 not to watch it.

Former AFL Umpire Speaks Out Against Abuse In New Campaign
B&T would never tolerate the abuse of any sporting official. Okay, we can be a little potty mouthed if our team loses.

TikTok Deletes Filter After It Gets Roasted For Being “Fatphobic!”
Who needs a filter to make us all look fat & bloated when we already have excessive alcohol consumption and fast food.

“I’ll Call You A W@nker!” The Project’s Hamish MacDonald Gets Roasted By Guest
The Project's Hamish MacDonald has been called a wanker. And, no, it wasn't a Lisa Wikinson tanty either.

Thursday TV Wrap: 10’s Dog House Pulls In Big Numbers, But The Commonwealth Games Has Last Bark
10's Dog House debuts to solid numbers last night. Proof we're a nation of dog lovers, just not dog poo picker-uppers.

Eliza O’Hare Shares Her Clever Thoughts On Are Media’s Research Project HERFuture
Here, B&T chats with the editor of home decor mag Inside Out. A woman, we doubt, knows the horror that is Ikea erection.

Tiger Brokers Offers Mullet Wigs And Free Tickets In Support Of Melbourne Storm
Tiger Brokers, an online broker for millennials and Gen Z, is offering fans the chance to win sideline seats to Melbourne Storm’s Round 21 clash against the Titans at AAMI Park (Friday 5 August 2022). The campaign has reached its peak, and now every Australian can also have the chance to win a Melbourne Storm […]

Meta Rolls Out NFTs On Instagram And Facebook
Zuck can't leave his play thing alone for a minute, can he? See what's new under the bonnet with this news.

SCA And Mushroom Group Bringing Sexy Back With RNB Fridays Concert Series
As this Fridayz concert series proves, the simple addition of a Z at the end of words can seriously up your cool cachet.

“So Messed Up!” Fury As TikTok Star’s Adidas Bikini Collab Labelled As “Blasphemous”
TikTok star labelled "blasphemous" for provocative bikini shoot. B&T yet to receive Jesus' side of the story, however.

We Are Social Opens Office In Amsterdam
We Are Social has opened its first Amsterdam office. The office snacks now disappearing at an alarming rate of knots.

Harvey Norman To Sponsor 2022 delicious. Produce Awards
B&T's a huge fan of the delicious. Produce Awards. Particularly the hotly contested root crop and legume categories.

The Proof’s In The Pudding – You Can’t Underspend, Under Target & Under Invest For ROI
This columnist is comparing marketing ROI to Yorkshire puddings. As baffling as that sounds, he makes a meaty point.

UK Funeral Providers Banned From Advertising Eco-Friendly Coffins
Surely the most eco-friendly funeral of all has to be eaten and swallowed by some form of aggressive wildlife.