Yellowhammer Times

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has joined Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Jim Justice (R-WV) in introducing the No Alipay Act, a bill aimed at banning the use of Alipay, a Chinese digital payment platform, in the United States. The lawmakers argue that Alipay collects sensitive personal and financial data from more than a billion users worldwide, which they say poses a risk to American national security.

“Two years ago, Joe Biden sat on his hands while China sent a spy balloon over our entire country,” said Sen. Tuberville. “Thankfully, those days are over. President Trump and his administration are working every day to hold China accountable and protect American citizens. We know China’s playbook—they want to spy on every single American and steal as much information as they can. There’s no reason why we should be using CCP-backed banking services in the United States. I’m proud to join my colleagues in making sure China doesn’t have a foothold in our banking.”

Senator Scott also commented on the bill: “The Chinese Communist Party has made it clear that it will use every tool available to spy on Americans and steal our data, and apps like Alipay are no exception. Americans don’t want their personal and financial information being funneled straight into the hands of the Communist Chinese regime to use against us – it’s a threat to their lives and national security. My No Alipay Act will close another door that could allow a CCP-controlled entity to access our financial systems and spy on U.S. citizens. I’m proud to lead this effort with my colleagues in the Senate, Senators Tuberville and Justice, and Congressman Ogles in the House to keep Americans and their data safe from Communist China.”

Congressman Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) is leading similar efforts in the U.S House of Representatives.

Senator Tuberville has previously taken actions related to technology security concerns involving China, including calls for inquiries into Chinese AI applications used by Pentagon devices, efforts to protect Americans’ financial data from entities tied to the Chinese government, letters encouraging increased offensive cyber capabilities against China, requests for investigations into crypto firms with connections to China, as well as concerns about stock trading platforms linked with Chinese interests.

Senator Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate where he serves on several committees including Armed Services; Agriculture; Veterans’ Affairs; Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP); and Aging.