US National Security Agency Director Paul Nakasone testified to Congress on Tuesday about data collection by the Chinese-owned video app TikTok and its potential to facilitate large-scale influence operations, Reuters reported.

Asked by Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville about his concerns about TikTok’s impact on American children, Nakasone told a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing: “TikTok worries me for a couple of different reasons.”

Nakasone said he was concerned about “the data they have.”

“The second is the algorithm and control over those who own the algorithm,” added Nakasone.

Nakasone concluded his comments by saying that TikTok’s platform could allow for large-scale influence operations, and said he was concerned not only about TikTok’s ability to proactively influence users, but also its ability to “turn off messages” and noted the large number of users. .

More than 100 million Americans use the app.

The NSA, part of the Department of Defense, is the agency responsible for intelligence, cryptographic security, and communications services in the United States.