Senators Demand DoJ Probe Zoom, TikTok Over Allegations They Shared Private Data With CCP

Josh Hawley and Dick Blumenthal, a bipartisan pair of Senators who have struck up a valuable alliance by jointly backing efforts to antagonize big tech, an effort that culminated with yesterday’s anti-trust hearing – have added Zoom to the growing list of companies they are seeking to hold accountable for their too-cozy relationship with Beijing.

Using their typical process, the writing of a sternly-worded letter to the DoJ, the pair argued on Thursday that a probe should be launched into the video technology company Zoom and social media company, TikTok.

The letter renews pressure on Zoom, which had seemingly overcome speculation that it was vulnerable to infiltration by Beijing, after the company repeatedly kowtowed to CCP officials.

The two lawmakers said they were asking for the investigation because of reports of violations of Americans’ civil liberties by sharing private info with the CCP.

"Based on numerous reports, we are extremely concerned that Zoom and TikTok have disclosed private information about Americans to the PRC and engaged in censorship on behalf of the Chinese government," the letter read.

The news sent shares of Zoom spiraling lower in afternoon trade.

Shares of Zoom Video plunge as much as 5% after Senators Blumenthal & Hawley seek a Justice Dept. probe into Zoom and TikTok’s relationships with the Chinese government. https://t.co/Yvaf41tKAc pic.twitter.com/N6FX5yE526

— CNBC Now (@CNBCnow) July 30, 2020

Zoom shares fell more than 5% at one point.

Unfortunately, Blumenthal has been preoccupied by President Trump’s suggestion that the election be delayed. We doubt we’ll hear much else from the Connecticut Senator today.