Why are U.S. lawmakers concerned about TikTok from a national security perspective?

U.S. lawmakers have raised serious national security concerns about TikTok following classified briefings that highlighted the app's potential risks. The primary concern stems from ByteDance's alleged close ties to the Chinese government, which lawmakers fear could compromise user data and create vulnerabilities for American citizens. Despite ByteDance's denials that the app poses a threat, the security concerns were significant enough to prompt a nearly month-long removal from Apple and Google app stores. The situation reflects broader tensions about Chinese-owned technology companies operating in the U.S. market and the potential for foreign government influence over American users' personal information and digital activities.