Facebook’s parent company, Meta, has accused Chinese social media app TikTok of being a threat to national security, highlighting the growing concerns around Chinese-owned apps.

Nick Clegg, Meta’s Vice President for Global Affairs, made the accusations during a speech at the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels. Clegg claimed that TikTok, which is owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance, was part of China’s broader strategy to use digital platforms to spread disinformation and influence public opinion.

Clegg argued that “We know that the Chinese government seeks to exert influence through these platforms, whether it’s by spreading propaganda, conducting espionage, or sowing discord,” adding that “The recent history of TikTok, with its ban in India and the United States, should give us pause for thought.”

Meta’s accusations come amid a growing trend of governments around the world taking a closer look at Chinese tech companies and their influence on global digital platforms. The US and India have already banned TikTok, citing national security concerns, while other countries have considered doing the same.

TikTok has denied the accusations, stating that the company is not influenced by the Chinese government and that it stores its data outside of China to protect the privacy of its users.

In response to the accusations, TikTok issued a statement saying, “TikTok is not influenced by any foreign government, political party, or ideology. We are an independent, US-based company with Chinese founders and global leadership, and we are committed to building a fun and safe app that inspires creativity and brings joy to our users.”

TikTok has been downloaded over 3 billion times worldwide and has become one of the most popular social media apps among young people. However, concerns over its Chinese ownership and its potential influence on global digital platforms have led to increased scrutiny from governments around the world.

This is not the first time that Meta has accused a Chinese tech company of being a threat to national security. The company has previously accused Huawei of similar actions and has supported the US government’s ban on the Chinese company’s products.

The accusations against TikTok also come as Meta is under increasing scrutiny over its own practices. The company has been accused of allowing the spread of hate speech and misinformation on its platforms, and has faced criticism over its handling of user data.

In his speech, Clegg acknowledged the criticism that Meta has faced, stating that “We know that we need to do better, and we are committed to doing so. We take our responsibility to protect our users seriously, and we will continue to invest in technologies and partnerships that help us do so.”

As concerns over the influence of Chinese tech companies continue to grow, it remains to be seen how governments around the world will respond. For now, Meta’s accusations against TikTok highlight the increasing scrutiny on Chinese-owned apps and their potential impact on global digital platforms.