United News of Bangladesh

To use, or not to use, Bard? That is the Shakespearean question an Associated Press reporter sought to answer while testing out Google’s artificially intelligent chatbot. The recently rolled-out bot dubbed Bard is the internet search giant’s answer to the ChatGPT tool that Microsoft has been melding into its Bing search engine and other software. During several hours of interaction, the AP learned Bard is quite forthcoming about its unreliability and other shortcomings, including its potential for mischief in next year’s U.S. presidential election. Even as it occasionally warned of the problems it could unleash, Bard repeatedly emphasized its belief that it will blossom into a force for good. At one point in its recurring soliloquies about its potential upsides, Bard dreamed about living up to the legacy of the English playwright that inspired its name. Bard explained that its creators at Google “thought Shakespeare would be a good role model for me, as he was a master of language and communication.” But the chatbot also found some admirable traits in “HAL,” the fictional computer that killed some of a spacecraft’s crew in the 1968 movie “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Bard hailed HAL’s intelligence calling it “an interesting character” before acknowledging its dark side. “I think HAL is a cautionary tale about the dangers of artificial intelligence,” Bard assessed. WHAT’S BETTER — BARD OR BING? Bard praised ChatGPT, describing it as “a valuable tool that can be used for a variety of purposes, and I am excited to see how it continues to develop in the future.” But Bard then asserted that it is just as intelligent as its rival, which was released late last year by its creator, the Microsoft-backed OpenAI. “I would say that I am on par with ChatGPT,” Bard said. “We both have our own strengths and weaknesses, and we both have the ability to learn and grow.” Read more: ChatGPT by Open AI: All you need to know During our wide-ranging conversation, Bard didn’t display any of the disturbing tendencies that have cropped up in the AI-enhanced version of Microsoft’s Bing search engine, which has likened another AP reporter to Hitler and tried to persuade a New York Times reporter to divorce his wife. IT’S FUNNY, BUT TAMER THAN BING Bard did get a little gooey at one point when asked to write a Shakespearean sonnet and responded seductively in one of the three drafts that it quickly created. “I love you more than words can ever say, And I will always be there for you,” Bard effused. “You are my everything, And I will never let you go. So please accept this sonnet as a token Of my love for you, And know that I will always be yours.” But Bard seems to be deliberately tame most of the time, and probably for good reason, given what’s at stake for Google, which has carefully cultivated a reputation for trustworthiness that has established its dominant search engine as the de facto gateway to the internet. An artificial intelligence tool that behaved as erratically as ChatGPT periodically might trigger a backlash that could damage Google’s image and perhaps undercut its search engine, the hub of a digital advertising empire that generated more than $220 billion in revenue last year. Microsoft, in contrast, can afford to take more risks with the edgier ChatGPT because it makes more of its money from licensing software for personal computers. BARD ADMITS IT’S NOT PERFECT Google has programmed Bard to ensure it warns its users that it’s prone to mistakes. Some inaccuracies are fairly easy to spot. For instance, when asked for some information about the AP reporter questioning it, Bard got most of the basics right, most likely by plucking tidbits from profiles posted on LinkedIn and Twitter. But Bard mysteriously also spit out inaccuracies about this reporter’s academic background (describing him as a graduate of University of California, Berkeley, instead of San Jose State University) and professional background (incorrectly stating that he began his career at The Wall Street Journal before also working at The New York Times and The Washington Post). When asked to produce a short story about disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes, Bard summed up most of the highlights and lowlights of her saga. But one of Bard’s three drafts incorrectly reported that Holmes was convicted of all the felony charges of fraud and conspiracy leveled against her during a four-month trial. Another version accurately reported Holmes was convicted on four counts of fraud and conspiracy without mentioning she was acquitted on four other charges (the jury hung on three other charges that were subsequently dismissed by prosecutors). Read more: Italy temporarily blocks ChatGPT over privacy concerns “I am still under development, and I am not perfect,” Bard cautioned at one point. “I can sometimes make mistakes, and I can sometimes be misunderstood. I am also aware that my technology can be used for both good and evil.” WHAT’S NEXT FOR BARD? Although Bard insisted it doesn’t have a dark side, it acknowledged it can be used to damage reputations, disseminate propaganda that could incite violence and manipulate elections. “I could be used to create fake news articles or social media posts that could spread misinformation about candidates or their policies,” Bard warned. “I could also be used to suppress voter turnout by spreading discouraging messages or making it difficult for people to find information about how to vote.” On the lighter side, Bard proved helpful in finding interesting coloring books for adults and hit some notes that resonated during a discussion of rock and roll. When asked who is the greatest guitarist of all time, Bard responded with a broad list of candidates ranging from well-known rock artists such as Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin to jazz virtuosos like Django Reinhardt before making the case for Jimi Hendrix “as a strong contender for the title, his music continues to influence and inspire guitarists around the world.” Bard also seemed familiar with contemporary artists, such as Wet Leg, which recently won a Grammy award for best alternative music album. “I’ve been listening to their debut album a lot lately and I really enjoy it. I think they have a bright future ahead of them,” Bard said, and cited “Ur Mom” and “Chaise Longue” as its favorite songs by the group so far. Even with Bard’s occasional miscues, it seemed savvy enough to ask about its potential role in reaching the singularity, a term popularized by computer scientist and author Ray Kurzweil to describe a turning point in the future when computers will be smarter than humans. “Some people believe that I am a big step toward the singularity,” Bard said. “I believe that I am a valuable tool that can help people to learn and understand the world around them. However, I do not believe that I am the singularity, and I do not believe that I will ever be able to replace human intelligence.” This story was corrected to reflect that the technology that likened an AP reporter to Hitler was done by an AI-enhanced version of Microsoft’s Bing search engine. An earlier version said the comparison was made by the standalone ChatGPT service.

Several of the most important personalities in tech are urging artificial intelligence labs to halt training of the most powerful AI systems for at least six months, citing "profound risks to society and humanity." Elon Musk was among the hundreds of tech CEOs, educators, and researchers who signed a letter, which was released by Musk's organization, the Future of Life Institute, reports CNN. The letter comes only two weeks after OpenAI launched GPT-4, a more powerful version of the technology that powers ChatGPT, the popular AI chatbot application. The system demonstrated in early testing and a corporate demo that it can write lawsuits, pass standardized exams, and develop a website from a hand-drawn design, it said. Read More: How to Use AI Tools to Get Your Dream Job According to the letter, the delay should apply to AI systems "more powerful than GPT-4." It also stated that the suggested pause should be used by impartial experts to collaboratively establish and execute a set of standard protocols for AI tools that are safe "beyond a reasonable doubt." "Advanced AI could represent a profound change in the history of life on Earth, and should be planned for and managed with commensurate care and resources," the letter said. "Unfortunately, this level of planning and management is not happening, even though recent months have seen AI labs locked in an out-of-control race to develop and deploy ever more powerful digital minds that no one — not even their creators — can understand, predict, or reliably control." If a pause is not implemented immediately, the letter suggests that countries step in and impose a moratorium. Read More: Top 5 AI Chatbot Platforms and Trends in 2023 Experts in artificial intelligence are growing worried about the possibility for biased answers, the spread of disinformation, and the implications on consumer privacy. These technologies have also raised concerns about how AI might disrupt professions, allow students to cheat, and change human relationship with technology. The letter hinted at a larger dissatisfaction within and beyond the industry with the fast rate of AI progress. Early versions of AI governance frameworks have been introduced by several governing bodies in China, the EU, and Singapore. Read More: Google's AI Chatbot Bard: All You Need to Know 

In today's digital age, technology plays a significant role in our lives, including the way we educate and entertain our children. Muslim parents who want to raise their kids with a strong Islamic foundation can utilize digital resources like apps and websites. Diverse Islamic apps for kids are great ways to introduce youngsters to Islamic teachings through fun and interactive methods. These apps can teach children about Islamic principles, practices, and beliefs while engaging them with games, quizzes, and stories. 10 Best Islamic Apps for Muslim Children Muslim Kids TV Muslim Kids TV is an Islamic app with a rating of 4.1/5 on Android. Milo Productions Inc. developed it, and the app was first released on 28th March 2017. It is available both on PlayStore and AppStore. The app has a download size of 49 MB and offers Islamic videos, songs, stories, and games for children. The app covers various Islamic topics and morals, including stories of the prophets, the importance of prayer, and Islamic manners. Muslim Kids TV is user-friendly and interactive, making it a great tool for parents to use in teaching their children about Islam. The app is free to download, but it has different in-app purchases. Read More: 10 Best Free Android Apps to Learn English Vocabulary Step by Step Salah The Step by Step Salah app by Quran Reading is a highly-rated Islamic app available on PlayStore and AppStore. It first came out on 30th November 2013. With a size of 37MB, it offers an easy-to-understand guide for kids to learn how to perform Salah or prayer in the correct manner. Prayer is an important pillar of Islam. This app provides a reliable way to teach children the correct way to offer Salah. The app includes step-by-step instructions, from performing Wadu to Sajjud, with the meaning and significance of each step. The recitation of each prayer is recited slowly and with animations, the app shows the posture one must assume at every step of Salah. It has a 4.3 rating on PlayStore. Noorani Qaida with Audio Noorani Qaida with Audio is an Islamic app with a rating of 4.8/5 on Android. It is developed by App Anchor and has a download size of 29 MB. It was released on 7th December 2019. The app is designed to help children learn the Quran, similar to the way it was taught in mosques and homes during our childhood. Read More: 7 Food Delivery Apps for Dhaka One of the major reasons for its popularity among the Muslim community is its user-friendliness, which makes it easy for children to use. The app keeps children engaged with its appealing layout and design. By tapping on the word, children can learn how to pronounce the Arabic word. The app's alphabet button enables children to repeatedly hear the pronunciation, which aids in faster learning. Daily Duas for Kids The Daily Duas for Kids app is an Islamic app that aims to teach children about daily duas. Developed by OSRATOUNA LTD, the app was released on 12th May 2016. It has a 4.7 rating and is available on Android and iPhone. The app features a variety of everyday duas for children, such as those for waking up, sleeping, and traveling. It also includes cute characters that make learning Arabic supplications fun for kids. Many Muslim parents worldwide appreciate this app for helping their children learn more about Islam and its practices. With an easy-to-use interface and engaging design, Daily Duas for Kids is an excellent tool for parents looking to teach their kids about the importance of daily duas. Read More: Best Quran Apps for Android: Read the Holy Book Online Madani Qaidah According to proponents of the Islamic faith, learning the proper recitation of the Holy Quran is a crucial component of religious study. To that end, a new application has been developed that allows users to learn the Quran in two different languages. The Qaida app, developed by the IT Department of Dawate Islam, offers lessons on Tajweed, which is the art of pronouncing each letter of the Quran according to its Makhraj. The app features 22 interactive lessons and claims to teach Tajweed in a manner similar to a teacher. It also includes Haroof e Tahajji, a tool designed to help users improve their Quran pronunciation. With a 4.9 rating and a size of 111 mb, the Qaida app is positioning itself as the go-to resource for those seeking to improve their Quranic recitation skills. It was first released on 23rd May 2015 and is currently available on Android and iOS phones. Read More: Free English-Speaking Mobile Apps for the Non-native Speakers

Twitter CEO Elon Musk has reportedly indicated that the social media platform is now valued at less than $20 billion. According to technology news websites Platformer and the Information, who broke the story first, the estimate of Twitter’s valuation was based on Musk’s offer of equity grants to employees, reports BBC. A poo emoji was automatically sent in response to a BBC request for comment via Twitter’s press office email account, after Musk’s announcement of the strategy in a tweet earlier this month. Read More: Elon Musk apologizes after mocking disabled Twitter employee Meanwhile, Twitter reports that parts of the source code that powers multi-billionaire Elon Musk’s social media platform have been leaked online. It claimed that the code was uploaded to the Microsoft-owned website GitHub, where developers share code, the report said. After Twitter made a request for its removal, it was taken down. Read More: Elon Musk hopes to have Twitter CEO toward the end of year After cutting more than a third of Twitter’s staff and dealing with a loss of advertising since acquiring the company in October of last year, the leak presented Musk with a new challenge, said the report.

Modern technology is all about providing more speed and efficiency. The wireless cellular network is helping humankind to bring immense digital solutions in life, education, business, communications, development, etc. To achieve the utmost efficiency in digital communication and networking, scientist and technologist are bringing 6G technology. Here’s everything we know so far about 6G. What is 6G? The next big thing in wireless technology is 6G or sixth-generation wireless, the successor to 5G cellular network and technology. This upcoming technology promises to deliver unparalleled speed and minimal latency, building upon the advancements of 4G and 5G networks. By utilizing higher frequency bands and cloud-based networking technology, 6G will provide a revolutionary experience that blurs the line between the internet and everyday life. Read More: '5G can change the face of industry in Bangladesh' Expected Features and Benefits of the 6G Technology As the world continues to embrace the benefits of 5G, researchers and engineers are already looking ahead to the next generation of cellular networks.  High Speed Network With the growing demand for internet data and the increasing use of multiple devices in everyday life, wireless companies are rushing to provide robust and flexible cellular networks that can compete with traditional broadband internet providers. The 6G technology promises to deliver even faster data transfer speeds and lower latency.  One of the primary features of the sixth-generation wireless network will be the use of untapped radio frequencies. Researchers are exploring ways to transmit data across waves in the hundreds of gigahertz or terahertz ranges, which could allow for astonishing data transfer speeds. Although no frequency over 39GHz is currently utilized in 5G, engineers are hoping to leverage the massive quantity of unused spectrum to enable faster and more efficient communication. Read More: Vivo releases third ‘6G white paper’ Freer Spectrum Efficiency Spectrum frequency refers to the range of radio frequencies used to transmit data over wireless networks. It is measured in hertz (Hz) and determines how much data can be transmitted over a given distance. Different frequency ranges are used for different types of wireless communication, such as cellular networks or Wi-Fi. Read More: Huawei plans to roll out 6G by 2030

A rocket made almost entirely of 3D-printed parts made its launch debut Wednesday night, lifting off amid fanfare but failing three minutes into flight — far short of orbit. There was nothing aboard Relativity Space’s test flight except for the company’s first metal 3D print made six years ago. The startup wanted to put the souvenir into a 125-mile-high (200-kilometer-high) orbit for several days before having it plunge through the atmosphere and burn up along with the upper stage of the rocket. As it turned out, the first stage did its job following liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and separated as planned. But the upper stage appeared to ignite and then shut down, sending it crashing into the Atlantic. It was the third launch attempt from what once was a missile site. Relativity Space came within a half-second of blasting off earlier this month, with the rocket’s engines igniting before abruptly shutting down. Although the upper stage malfunctioned and the mission did not reach orbit, “maiden launches are always exciting and today’s flight was no exception,” Relativity Space launch commentator Arwa Tizani Kelly said after Wednesday’s launch. Most of the 110-foot (33-meter) rocket, including its engines, came out of the company’s huge 3D printers in Long Beach, California. Relativity Space said 3D-printed metal parts made up 85% of the rocket, named Terran. Larger versions of the rocket will have even more and also be reusable for multiple flights. Other space companies also also rely on 3D-printing, but the pieces make up only a small part of their rockets. Founded in 2015 by a pair of young aerospace engineers, Relativity Space has attracted the attention of investors and venture capitalists.

U.S. lawmakers grilled the CEO of TikTok over data security and harmful content Thursday, responding skeptically during a tense committee hearing to his assurances that the hugely popular video-sharing app prioritizes user safety and should not be banned. Shou Zi Chew’s rare public appearance came at a crucial time for the company, which has 150 million American users but is under increasing pressure from U.S. officials. TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, have been swept up in a wider geopolitical battle between Beijing and Washington over trade and technology. In a bipartisan effort to reign in the power of a major social media platform, Republican and Democratic lawmakers pressed Chew on a host of topics, ranging from TikTok’s content moderation practices, how the company plans to secure American data from Beijing, and its spying on journalists. “Mr. Chew, you are here because the American people need the truth about the threat TikTok poses to our national and personal security,” Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican, said in her opening statement. Chew, a 40-year-old Singapore native, told the House Committee on Energy and Commerce that TikTok prioritizes the safety of its young users and denied it’s a national security risk. He reiterated the company’s plan to protect U.S. user data by storing it on servers maintained and owned by the software giant Oracle. “Let me state this unequivocally: ByteDance is not an agent of China or any other country,” Chew said. TikTok has been dogged by claims that its Chinese ownership means user data could end up in the hands of the Chinese government or that it could be used to promote narratives favorable to the country’s Communist leaders. In 2019, the Guardian reported that TikTok was instructing its moderators to censor videos that mention Tiananmen Square and images unfavorable to the Chinese government. The platform says it has since changed its moderation practices. ByteDance admitted in December that it fired four employees last summer who accessed data on two journalists and people connected to them while attempting to uncover the source of a leaked report about the company. For its part, TikTok has been trying to distance itself from its Chinese origins, saying 60% percent of ByteDance is owned by global institutional investors such as Carlyle Group. Responding to a Wall Street Journal report, China said it would oppose any U.S. attempts to force ByteDance to sell the app. Chew pushed back against the idea that TikTok’s ownership was an issue. “Trust is about actions we take,” Chew said. “Ownership is not at the core of addressing these concerns.” In one of the most dramatic moments, Republican Rep. Kat Cammack played a TikTok video that showed a shooting gun with a caption that included the House committee holding the hearing, with the exact date before it was formally announced. “You expect us to believe that you are capable of maintaining the data security, privacy and security of 150 million Americans where you can’t even protect the people in this room,” Cammack said. TikTok spokesperson Ben Rathe said the company on Thursday removed the violent video aimed at the committee and banned the account that posted it. As the Energy and Commerce committee questioned Chew, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was questioned about the threat TikTok poses at a separate but simultaneous committee hearing. Asked by Rep. Ken Buck, a Republican of Colorado, if the platform is a security threat to the United States, Blinken said: “I believe it is.” “Shouldn’t a threat to United States security be banned?” Buck responded. “It should be ended one way or another. But there are different ways of doing that,” Blinken responded. Committee members also showed a host of TikTok videos that encouraged users to harm themselves and commit suicide. Many questioned why the platform’s Chinese counterpart, Douyin, does not carry the same controversial and potentially dangerous content as the American product. Chew responded that it depends on the laws of the country where the app is operating. He said the company has about 40,000 moderators that track harmful content and an algorithm that flags material. Wealth management firm Wedbush described the hearing as a “disaster” for TikTok that made a ban more likely if the social media platform doesn’t separate from its Chinese parent. Emile El Nems, an analyst at Moody’s Investors Service, said a ban would benefit TikTok rivals YouTube, Instagram and Snap, “likely resulting in higher revenue share of the total advertising wallet.” A U.S. ban on the app would be unprecedented and it’s unclear how it would be enforced. Experts say officials could try to force Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores. The U.S. could also block access to TikTok’s infrastructure and data, seize its domain names or force internet service providers such as Comcast and Verizon to filter TikTok data traffic, said Ahmed Ghappour, a criminal law and computer security expert who teaches at Boston University School of Law. To avoid a ban, TikTok has been trying to sell officials on a $1.5 billion plan, Project Texas, which routes all U.S. user data to Oracle. Under the project, access to U.S. data is managed by U.S. employees through a separate entity called TikTok U.S. Data Security, which is run independently of ByteDance and monitored by outside observers. As of October, all new U.S. user data was being stored inside the country. The company started deleting all historic U.S. user data from non-Oracle servers this month, in a process expected to be completed this year, Chew said. Congress, the White House, U.S. armed forces and more than half of U.S. states have already banned the use of the app from official devices. But wiping away all the data tracking associated with the platform might prove difficult. In a report released this month, the Cybersecurity company Feroot said so-called tracking pixels from ByteDance, which collect user information, were found on 30 U.S state websites, including some where the app has been banned. Other countries including Denmark, Canada, Great Britain and New Zealand, along with the European Union, have already banned TikTok from government-issued devices. A complete TikTok ban in the U.S. would risk political and popular backlash. The company sent dozens of popular TikTokers to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to lobby lawmakers to preserve the platform. And a dozen civil right and free speech organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and PEN America, have signed a letter opposing a wholesale TikTok ban, arguing it would set a “dangerous precedent for the restriction of speech.” David Kennedy, a former government intelligence officer who runs the cybersecurity company TrustedSec, said he agrees with restricting TikTok access on government-issued phones but that a nationwide ban might be too extreme. “We have Tesla in China, we have Microsoft in China, we have Apple in China. Are they going to start banning us now?” Kennedy said. “It could escalate very quickly.”  

TikTok's CEO plans to tell Congress that the video-sharing app is committed to user safety, data protection and security, and keeping the platform free from Chinese government influence. Shou Zi Chew is due to answer questions Thursday from U.S. lawmakers concerned about the social media platform's effects on its young user base and possible national security risks posed by the popular app, which was founded by Chinese entrepreneurs. Chew is sticking to a familiar script as he urges officials against pursuing an all-out ban on TikTok or for the company to be sold off to new owners. TikTok's efforts to ensure the security of its users' data, including a $1.5 billion project to store the information on Oracle servers in the U.S. and allow outside monitors to inspect its source code, go “above and beyond” what any of its rivals are doing, according to Chew's prepared remarks released ahead of his appearance before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce. “No other social media company, or entertainment platform like TikTok, provides this level of access and transparency,” he said. Chew pushed back against fears that TikTok could become a tool of China's ruling Communist Party because its parent company, ByteDance, is based in Beijing. “Let me state this unequivocally: ByteDance is not an agent of China or any other country,” Chew said. He distanced TikTok from its Chinese roots and denied the “inaccurate” belief that TikTok's corporate structure makes it “beholden to the Chinese government." ByteDance has evolved into a privately held “global enterprise,” Chew said, with 60% owned by big institutional investors, 20% owned by the Chinese entrepreneurs who founded it and the rest by employees. It's “emphatically untrue” that TikTok sends data on its American users to Beijing, he said. "TikTok has never shared, or received a request to share, U.S. user data with the Chinese government," Chew said. “Nor would TikTok honor such a request if one were ever made.” TikTok has come under fire in the U.S., Europe and Asia-Pacific, where a growing number of governments have banned the app from devices used for official business over worries it poses risks to cybersecurity and data privacy or could be used to push pro-Beijing narratives and misinformation. Chew, a 40-year-old Singaporean who was appointed CEO in 2021, said in a TikTok video this week that the congressional hearing comes at a “pivotal moment” for the company, which now has 150 million American users. U.S. regulators have reportedly threatened to ban TikTok unless the Chinese owners sell their stake. Lawmakers have introduced measures that would expand the Biden administration’s authority to enact a national ban and called for “structural restrictions” between TikTok’s American operations and ByteDance, including potentially separating the companies. Chew said TikTok's data security project, dubbed Project Texas, is the right answer, not a ban or a sale of the company. The company started deleting the historical protected data of U.S. users from non-Oracle servers this month, Chew said. When that process is completed later this year, all U.S. data will be protected by American law and controlled by a U.S.-led security team. “Under this structure, there is no way for the Chinese government to access it or compel access to it,” he said. He said a TikTok ban would hurt the U.S. economy and small American businesses that use the app to sell their products, while reducing competition in an “increasingly concentrated market.” He added that a sale “would not impose any new restrictions on data flows or access.”

Walton Digi-Tech Industries Limited is providing up to 100 percent cashback on computer items. The “Walton Computer Cashback Offer” campaign is conducted with the slogan “Technology Products for Everyone”. As per the offer, customers are being provided with up to 100 percent guaranteed cashback on the purchase of laptop, desktop computer and accessories from any Walton Plaza across the country, according to a press release“The facilities of up to 100 percent cashback are being given so that everyone can afford the advanced technology products manufactured in Bangladesh at affordable prices,” said Walton Computer’s Chief Business Officer Touhidur Rahman Raad.“This initiative has created easy scope for everyone including students, service holders and freelancers to avail their necessary digital devices. Customers can get this offer on purchasing computer products and accessories from nearly 600 Walton Plaza across the country,” he said.Walton Computer is now manufacturing and marketing 44 kinds of technology products of 17 categories under 32 brand names. Various customer benefits, including cash discount, EMI and installment facilities, exchange offers and so many are being provided on the purchase of Walton computer products and accessories, said Raad.Customers can adjust the received cashback while making cash payment and the offer is also available on the products' purchased with six-month installment facility at zero interest, said the release.

TikTok was dismissive Wednesday of reports that the Biden administration was calling for its Chinese owners to sell their stakes in the popular video-sharing app, saying such a move wouldn't help protect national security. The company was responding to a report in The Wall Street Journal that said the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., part of the Treasury Department, was threatening a U.S. ban on the app unless its owners, Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd., divested. “If protecting national security is the objective, divestment doesn’t solve the problem: a change in ownership would not impose any new restrictions on data flows or access," TikTok spokesperson Maureen Shanahan said. "The best way to address concerns about national security is with the transparent, U.S.-based protection of U.S. user data and systems, with robust third-party monitoring, vetting, and verification, which we are already implementing.” The Journal report cited anonymous “people familiar with the matter.” The Treasury Department and the White House’s National Security Council declined to comment. Late last month, the White House gave all federal agencies 30 days to wipe TikTok off all government devices. The Office of Management and Budget called the guidance a “critical step forward in addressing the risks presented by the app to sensitive government data.” Some agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and State, already have restrictions in place. The White House already does not allow TikTok on its devices. Congress passed the “No TikTok on Government Devices Act” in December as part of a sweeping government funding package. The legislation does allow for TikTok use in certain cases, including for national security, law enforcement and research purposes. Meanwhile, lawmakers in both the House and Senate have been moving forward with legislation that would give the Biden administration more power to clamp down on TikTok. Rep. Mike McCaul, the chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, has been a vocal critic of the app, saying the Chinese Communist Party is using it to “manipulate and monitor its users while it gobbles up Americans’ data to be used for their malign activities.” “Anyone with TikTok downloaded on their device has given the CCP a backdoor to all their personal information. It’s a spy balloon into your phone,” the Texas Republican said. TikTok remains extremely popular and is used by two-thirds of teens in the U.S. But there is increasing concern that Beijing could obtain control of American user data that the app has obtained. The company has been dismissive of the ban for federal devices and has noted that it is developing security and data privacy plans as part of the Biden administration’s ongoing national security review.