In little more than a generation, the Internet has become a vital substrate for economic, social, and political interactions, and it has unlocked enormous gains. Along with greater interdependence, however, come vulnerability and conflict. Attacks by states and non-state actors have increased, threatening the stability of cyberspace.

Concerns are rising in Washington over the Chinese app TikTok, a video-making social media platform whose popularity has boomed in the U.S. in 2019. With concerns that the app is gathering and sharing the data of American users, TikTok might be yet another casualty in the U.S.’ war on Chinese tech companies.

Earlier this year, American officials acknowledged that US offensive cyber operations had stopped Russian disruption of the 2018 congressional election. Such operations are rarely discussed, but this time there was commentary about a new offensive doctrine of “persistent engagement” with potential adversaries. Will it work?

Data flows and other high-tech issues come to the fore as officials pursue agreement.

Deterrence will not be enough.

Without agreement as to what constitutes legitimate cybersecurity policy, Washington and Beijing risk thwarting trade, opportunities for collaboration, and technological progress.

Brussels wants to strengthen safeguards for companies as 5G auctions loom

The US must demonstrate that cyber attacks and manipulation of social media will incur costs.

Although Moore’s law about the doubling of computing power every two years means that cyber time moves quickly, human habits, norms, and state practices change more slowly.