They need to take "let's not pretend" away from people. I guarantee I'm not saying anything that I never mentioned or even hinted at. What I said is that TikTok got their fair share of dirt thrown at them.
I think the regular Chinese folks are great, however the CCP is a very bad organization that is orthogonal to your average Chinese person on the street. They are easily distinguished by anyone who is being logical on the matter, rather than seemingly not being able to comprehend they are not one and the same.
I understand the consequences of access to telecom infrastructure. Is there a "human mind infrastructure" being compromised here?
I intend that in all seriousness; I'm sorry I can't find a way to phrase it that doesn't sound fatuous. There seems to be some access to which we're ok when American companies do it and not when Chinese ones do. And I couuld understand that, but just what asset are we hardening?
TikTok was literally attacked by US Presidents of opposing parties in two subsequent terms, and has been credibly threatened with total bans.
So it's more like telling people China bad.