One... to see if you are for sale. If you can be bought, other state actors will try and may succeed, whether US actually bribes you or not. US needs to know if

One... to see if you are for sale. If you can be bought, other state actors will try and may succeed, whether US actually bribes you or not. US needs to know if a successful App is up for taking bribe, including top developers individually, or not, because millions of Americans including persons in position of power might be using that app. Two... essentially, this is power of people applied. Lot of interest in keeping status quo of power, of narrative, of money. They want to have dirt on everyone and then choose to use it when needed. Putting pressure or not can be decided later, dirt will be collected by default. No point in digging the well when you are thirsty, you need to do it well upfront the need arising. >What checks and balances are in place to keep this kind of power in check? Either play the game, or be too big to fail and lobby the government for your needs. I think the best one can do is choose your masters either USA, China, Russia or to some extent India or EU main players.