
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson Joins Push for Nationwide TikTok Ban, Defying Trump’s Stance
By CC News Network
Columbia, SC— South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined over 20 attorneys general in filing a legal brief (here) supporting a federal law that could force TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform or face a nationwide ban. The move, announced Monday, underscores growing bipartisan concerns over TikTok’s data security risks but also highlights a split from former President Donald Trump, who recently expressed openness to allowing the app to continue operations.

The amicus brief, filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, urges the court to uphold legislation signed by President Joe Biden earlier this year. The law, passed by Congress, claims TikTok poses a national security risk due to ByteDance’s alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). However, Trump’s stated willingness to reassess TikTok’s status as part of his potential administration contrasts sharply with Wilson’s firm stance.
A Platform of Controversy
“TikTok is a tool of the Chinese Communist Party, an enemy of the United States,” Wilson said in a statement. “Its operations in the U.S. pose a serious threat to our national security. The First Amendment does not protect a platform that allows the CCP to exploit Americans’ data and undermine our freedoms.”
The brief outlines several alarming points:
- National Security Threats: TikTok collects sensitive user data, including location, biometric information, and private communications. Evidence cited in the filing shows ByteDance employees in China have accessed U.S. user data, raising concerns about espionage and foreign influence.
- Congress’s Authority: The attorneys general argue Congress has the legal foundation to mandate ByteDance divest from TikTok. They contend this action is a legitimate exercise of Congress’s powers to safeguard national security and foreign policy interests.
- First Amendment Limits: While TikTok claims its ban infringes on free speech, the brief emphasizes that Congress’s focus on national security overrides such concerns. The platform’s potential to exploit data for adversarial purposes undermines the constitutional protections TikTok seeks.
- Foreign Espionage Concerns: TikTok’s connection to the CCP is described as a significant risk, with accusations that it has been used to conduct corporate and international espionage. The brief cites instances where public officials and others “adverse to the CCP’s interests” were tracked through TikTok.
South Carolina at the Center of the Debate
South Carolina, a key state in the fight against foreign interference, has taken a strong stance on the issue through Wilson’s leadership. His firm opposition to TikTok aligns with bipartisan concerns but diverges from Trump’s current approach, creating a rare political rift among his supporters.
This move also positions South Carolina at the forefront of national discussions about data privacy, consumer protection, and cybersecurity. “This is about safeguarding not only our national security but also the personal freedoms and privacy of Americans,” Wilson added.
What Trump had to Say About TikTok
Implications for the Future
If upheld, the law could set a precedent for addressing the influence of foreign-owned technology companies operating in the United States. Critics of TikTok argue it represents one of the most significant security risks of the modern digital era, with the CCP allegedly using the platform to shape public opinion and gather intelligence.
With the case now in the hands of the Supreme Court, they will hear arguments Jan. 10 in TikTok’s challenge of a law that could lead to a ban of the widely popular platform, and all eyes are on the potential fallout for TikTok and its millions of U.S. users. The ruling could redefine the boundaries of digital freedom versus national security, with South Carolina leading the charge for stricter oversight.
Conclusion
Attorney General Alan Wilson’s decision to support a TikTok ban showcases his commitment to prioritizing security, even as it contrasts with Trump’s recent openness toward the platform. This legal battle represents more than just one app—it’s a broader fight over protecting American interests in an increasingly interconnected and vulnerable digital world.
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Alan Wilson is a smart individual. I support a national ban on TicToc as it is a foreign spying operation. Same as American owned FB and most of your social media platforms (in my opinion).