China is Winning the Battle for Digital Sovereignty Using Your Data

Podcast Deep Dish on Global Affairs Podcast
How have online platforms, and lax US regulation, facilitated the flow of data from the US to China – and what does this mean for the geopolitical contest between these superpowers?
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About the Episode

Today, TikTok CEO Shou Chew testified before Congress in light of the Biden administration’s threat to ban the social media app over concerns that it poses a threat to national security. On Deep Dish, we’re revisiting our conversation with author Aynne Kokas who explains why China has been so effective at collecting and “trafficking” the data of citizens, and how this data could give them a geopolitical advantage. Plus, we hear from data privacy attorneys on the state of regulation protecting user data. 

[This episode originally aired: December 15, 2022] 

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About the Experts
Aynne Kokas
Associate Professor, Media Studies and C.K. Yen Chair, The Miller Center, University of Virginia
Aynne Headshot
Aynne Kokas is the C.K. Yen Chair at the Miller Center and an associate professor of media studies at the University of Virginia. Kokas’ research examines Sino-US media and technology relations. She is the author of two books, "Trafficking Data: How China is Winning the Battle for Digital Sovereignty" and an award-winning first book "Hollywood Made in China".
Aynne Headshot
Brian Hanson
Former Vice President, Studies
Brian Hanson headshot
Brian Hanson served as the vice president of studies at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. He managed the Council's research operations and hosted the Council's weekly podcast, Deep Dish on Global Affairs.
Brian Hanson headshot
Other Contributors
Alan Butler
Executive Director and President, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)
Alan Butler is an attorney and the executive director and president of the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC). He is based in Washington, DC.
Cindy Cohn
Executive Director, Electronic Frontier Foundation
Cindy Cohn is a civil liberties attorney specializing in Internet law and is the executive director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. She is based in San Francisco, California.
Issues Tech and Science Global Politics
Regions China North America Global
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