Photo: John Sciulli/Getty
Samara Joy, like several other artists who got their start on TikTok, is advocating to keep the social media app around as Congress considers banning it.
In an interview with PEOPLE at the 2023 Museum of Contemporary Art Gala at the Geffen Contemporary in Los Angeles over the weekend, Joy opened up about Congress' ongoing debate to ban TikTok in the U.S. amid its security and privacy risks, calling the idea “absolutely ridiculous.”
“I’ve seen some of the proceedings in court where he is having to defend not only the app and how safe it is to use, but also his own identity — which is just so insane,” Joy, 23, told PEOPLE of TikTok CEOShou Zi Chew.
“I hope [Congress] recognizes it as a platform that has united so many people and has created so many opportunities for people who don’t want to work a regular nine-to-five job,” she continues, adding that several users turn their “passion” and “creative outlets” into work on the app.
“Y’all, get it together,” she concludes.
Eugene Gologursky/Getty
In March,Congress met to discuss banning TikTokin the U.S. to protect from Chinese surveillance and information operations, in addition to concerns over the platform’s effects on mental health and other national security matters.
Bipartisan skepticism and calls to ban the app have risen since Donald Trump and his administration voiced their speculation over the app during his presidency in 2020, during which he attempted to ban TikTok from Apple’s and Google’s app storesunless it was sold to an American buyer.
Elsewhere in the interview, Joy raved about her whirlwind year after earning her firstGrammy Awardsin February for best jazz vocal album and best new artist.
RELATED VIDEO: Samara Joy Reveals She Will Put Her Grammy in Her Parent’s House: “That’s Where it Belongs”
In February, the “Linger Awhile” singerspoke to PEOPLE on the Grammys red carpetand revealed where she planned to keep her trophy.
“What’s great about this is my parents were able to be here, so as soon as they heard my name, they stood up and was louder than everyone in the room,” explained the musician. “So, I’m gonna put it up in their house because that’s where it belongs.”
She then joked that the award will remain “in the safe,” where it can’t be broken. “You can only look at it through a glass box,” said Joy with a laugh.
source: people.com
