Swedish politicians respond: "Concern for Tiktok is justified"

Swedish Democrats' foreign policy spokesman Markus Wiechel believes that concern for Tiktok is justified.

- It is a well-known fact that the Chinese regime uses its citizens and the Chinese companies that exist to meet their interests in other countries. Among these interests is not least digital infrastructure, as also the history with Huawei testifies, writes Markus Wiechel to SVT News.

He makes it clear that SD would welcome a risk assessment of the app.

Rasmus Ling's spokesperson for the environmental party's legal policy calls for vigilance.

- You need to take this type of risk very seriously. Many regimes try to get over information so you have to be vigilant about things that threaten Sweden's security. This is a development that has happened recently with the development of technology, and China is active, he says.

The Center Party forensic spokesperson, Johan Hedin, points out that, as a user of an app, one should reflect on what information is collected about one and one's child.

- Awareness must increase about how the information we share can also be used by interests that do not want us well, writes Johan Hedin to SVT News.

In a post on its site, Tiktok says that they take the issue of user data very seriously, and are keen to be transparent. They also write that they are not affected by Chinese legislation, do not censor anything at the request of the Chinese state, and will not disclose any user data.

Does Sweden also need to investigate whether Tiktok constitutes a national security threat?

- I can't say if we need to. We have authorities such as the Swedish Armed Forces that are responsible for Sweden's security, investigating this type of impact is of the highest priority, so I trust that they will say whether political initiatives need to be taken, says Rasmus Ling (MP).

What are you doing in the government to prevent Swedes' user data from falling into the wrong hands?

- We are following the trend, and making sure that the authorities that work against such have the resources they need, concludes Rasmus Ling.

SVT News has unsuccessfully sought representatives from the other parliamentary parties.