Last month Patently Apple posted a report titled "Testimony on Apple & TikTok used in background for new National Security and Personal Data Protection Act."  The report noted that U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the National Security and Personal Data Protection Act to combat the flow of Americans’ sensitive personal data to China and countries that similarly threaten America’s national security. A tweet from the Senator below confirms his position.

.@tiktok_us is a China-backed company required by Chinese law to share Americans’ data w/ Chinese Communist Party. I’m introducing legislation today to stop that and keep Americans’ personal info safe https://t.co/Uk1y1R4kgy

— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) November 18, 2019

Last week the United States Navy banned the social media app TikTok from government-issued mobile devices, saying the popular short video app represented a "cybersecurity threat."

A bulletin issued by the Navy on Tuesday showed up on a Facebook page serving military members, saying users of government issued mobile devices who had TikTok and did not remove the app would be blocked from the Navy Marine Corps Intranet.

A Navy spokesman said Naval and Marine personnel who use government issued smart devices are generally allowed to use popular commercial apps, including common social media apps, but from time to time specific programs that present security threats are banned. He would not give examples of apps that are allowed or those considered unsafe.

Reuters specifically noted that "The Pentagon’s Orland said the "Cyber Awareness Message" sent Dec. 16 "identifies the potential risk associated with using the TikTok app and directs appropriate action for employees to take in order to safeguard their personal information.'

TikTok is hugely popular with U.S. teenagers, but has come under scrutiny from U.S. regulators and lawmakers in recent months. The TikTok app is available on the App Store and Google Play and has been downloaded by many iPhone users who should rethink the use of this app until it's been cleared as safe.