Accountable Tech Co-Founder and Executive Director Nicole Gill issued the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision in TikTok v. Merrick Garland to uphold the constitutionality of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA):

“Although social media is a tool for connection, community, and exploration, it is also a weapon for mass disinformation, manipulation, and addiction. For years now, China has had this weapon pointed at millions of Americans through TikTok, with profound power to collect vast amounts of data and potentially exploit how Americans receive information. But they are not alone: Meta and other U.S. companies use similar tactics to addict and exploit their users – including young people – in this country and around the world.

“Since our inception, Accountable Tech has focused on dismantling the toxic business model at the root of Big Tech’s societal harms. While today’s decision represents a seemingly expedient solution to rid our country of this foreign interference in our information ecosystem, it is not a long-term solution to address the ability of any tech company to addict our people, exploit our data, and undermine our sovereignty. We implore our elected officials to enact structural reforms on all online platforms that cement our privacy, prioritize our safety, and ensure our freedom.”

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Accountable Tech is a non-profit organization advocating for digital justice by reining in Big Tech’s threats to society and democracy with legislative, regulatory and structural solutions. Through strategic initiatives and creative campaigns, Accountable Tech is challenging the industry’s toxic business model in order to protect data privacy, preserve the health of democracy, and create safer online platforms. We are leading the movement to advance a better, more human-centered digital future, and tech for the common good. To learn more, visit accountabletech.org.