Jacob Brown
President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign boldly moved on Sunday evening by launching an official TikTok account despite the app’s ban on most U.S. government-issued devices.
Under the handle “@bidenhq,” the account debuted during Lunar New Year celebrations in China and Super Bowl 58 in the U.S.
TikTok’s Ban on Government Devices and Security Concerns:
In late 2022, Biden signed legislation prohibiting most federal government-owned devices from accessing TikTok, marking a significant victory for China hawks in Congress.
Additionally, several states and New York City also implemented bans on TikTok due to various security concerns, pointing to the app’s China-based parent company, ByteDance.
Biden Campaign’s Strategy to Engage Younger Voters on TikTok:
Despite the bans and security controversies surrounding TikTok, Biden’s campaign advisors view the platform as a crucial tool to connect with younger voters.
With a significant portion of young adults regularly consuming news on TikTok, the campaign aims to meet voters where they are and engage them through the platform.
The Biden campaign on TikTok:
The launch of the @bidenhq TikTok account reflects the Biden campaign’s determination to utilize social media platforms to reach a diverse audience despite regulatory challenges and security concerns.
As TikTok remains a central platform for younger demographics, its role in political engagement is likely to continue evolving in the lead-up to the upcoming elections.
