At the initiative of the political group Les Indépendants, this commission will investigate the use and strategy of influence of the Chinese social network, already accused of espionage in the United States.
The Senate will launch a commission of inquiry into the use and strategy of TikTok in France announced this Thursday Senator Claude Malhuret, president of the group Les Indépendants.
The creation of the commission – presented on February 1 – was accepted on February 8 by the Conference of Presidents of the Senate. It will be made up of 19 senators whose names will be known on March 1.
In the proposal for the creation of the commission, Claude Malhuret specified its objectives. First “determine whether the content highlighted changes from one country to another” but also “determine whether these operating differences have the purpose or effect of serving a strategy to harm foreign users of TikTok, to the cohesion or security of foreign states.”
Last objective: “determine whether TikTok has breached its obligations with regard to the protection of personal data.”
Very slim leeway
During a press briefing, the senator was cautious: “I have no illusions, we are not going to reveal everything, but the commission allows us to put our foot in the door”.
He recognizes that the room for maneuver of such a commission is quite slim: “we have no power of coercion or investigation with regard to the ByteDance company in China, because it stops at the borders of France “.
The first job will be to determine the people to audition, he said. For example, French people working for the French subsidiary of TikTok. This commission can take up to six months, the objective being not to exceed the summer period.
Going through a commission of inquiry has several advantages: the persons interviewed are obliged to comply with the summons and submit their testimony under oath. In the event that the condition is not respected, sanctions are provided for. It also allows controls on parts.
TikTok targeted from all sides
The senator justifies the creation of such a commission by listing all the accusations against the social network, particularly in Europe.
On January 10, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew met with four senior European officials. It was recalled that TikTok must comply with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). In addition, European Commissioner Thierry Breton has called for greater transparency in TikTok’s algorithms.
In France, the opacity of TikTok was pinned by the Arcom in its report published at the end of 2022. The platform was condemned by the National Commission for Computing and Liberties (CNIL) on January 12 to pay a fine of 5 million euros for not having allowed users of its website to simply refuse cookies. Espionage allegations are also mentioned with regard to the social network. “That’s a lot,” points out Claude Malhuret.
TikTok reacted to Tech&Co on the creation of this commission: “We appreciate the opportunity given to us to establish the facts regarding misunderstandings that TikTok has been the subject of, as well as all the measures we are taking to protect our community. , and our continued efforts to fully comply with European legislation”. The social network wishes to recall having “always had constructive exchanges with elected officials”.
It remains to be seen whether France will go as far as the United States or the Chinese social network could be bannedand where parliamentarians took up this very sensitive issue.
