The Biden reelection campaign has ventured into the realm of TikTok, a short-form video app, leveraging the NFL’s Super Bowl to launch its presence on the platform, targeting young voters in anticipation of the upcoming presidential election in November.
Notably, TikTok, owned by Chinese tech conglomerate ByteDance, faces scrutiny in the U.S. over potential national security risks, with lawmakers calling for its ban due to concerns about data security and potential influence by the Chinese government.
Despite these concerns, TikTok has asserted its commitment to safeguarding user privacy and has not shared U.S. user data with the Chinese government.
The Biden campaign’s decision to join TikTok underscores its strategy to engage with voters across diverse social media platforms, including Meta Platform’s Instagram and Truth Social, owned by former President Donald Trump.
While taking precautionary measures for device security, the campaign emphasizes that its TikTok presence is separate from the ongoing security review.
In its debut TikTok video, the Biden-Harris HQ account humorously addresses a fringe conspiracy theory surrounding the Super Bowl, featuring President Biden’s playful response to allegations of rigging in favor of the Chiefs. The video quickly garnered attention, attracting nearly 11,000 followers within hours of its release.
This move reflects the campaign’s adaptability in harnessing digital platforms to connect with voters, particularly the younger demographic that is active on TikTok. Despite security concerns surrounding the app, the Biden campaign remains committed to leveraging its reach for voter outreach, as it gears up for the upcoming election.