Harris Joins TikTok for Campaign

Vice President Kamala Harris launched her official TikTok account on Thursday, highlighting the platform's growing significance in the 2024 presidential campaign. In her inaugural video, Harris expressed her excitement about joining TikTok, noting that she had recently gained traction on the app. This move comes as her presidential campaign has gained momentum following President Joe Biden's announcement that he would not seek re-election, effectively positioning Harris as the leading Democratic nominee. The popularity of TikTok among younger voters has made it an essential tool for political outreach, despite concerns regarding its ownership by the Chinese company ByteDance. While TikTok prohibits political advertising, its vast user base—170 million in the U.S.—engages with political content, with over a third of users utilizing the app to stay informed on political matters. This trend has prompted both major political parties to leverage TikTok for campaigning, with former President Donald Trump also establishing a presence on the platform earlier this year. Despite the enthusiasm for TikTok, bipartisan concerns persist regarding national security risks associated with the app. Lawmakers worry about potential data access by the Chinese government and the implications for American users. In response, Congress has initiated measures to compel ByteDance to divest TikTok's U.S. operations, with a deadline set for 270 days. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Harris confirmed that she does not support a ban on TikTok, emphasizing her commitment to engaging with voters through the platform.