The Justice Department is investigating TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, for possible spying on US citizens.

Washington — The Justice Department is investigating TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, for possible spying on US citizens, including journalists, CBS News has confirmed.

News of the investigation comes as US lawmakers have increased calls For a lawsuit against a widely popular social media app over ByteDance’s ties to China and national security concerns over its collection of user data.Biden administration Considering possible nationwide TikTok ban TikTok confirmed to CBS News on Wednesday if ByteDance will not exit the app.

Emily Baker-White, journalist forbes She said she was one of the reporters whose TikTok data was improperly accessed by ByteDance, the first to report a federal investigation. The Justice Department declined to comment on Friday.

ByteDance admitted in December that its employees improperly obtained data from US TikTok users. According to the New York Times.

“We strongly condemn the actions of the individuals found to be involved and they are no longer employed by ByteDance,” ByteDance told CBS News in a statement on Friday. If it is brought to us, we will cooperate with the official investigation.”

The federal government has already banned the app from government-issued devices, and many lawmakers have introduced legislation that could lead to a nationwide ban on the platform.

The TikTok CEO is scheduled to testify before Congress next Thursday.