TikTok CEO will be testifying before the US Congress today. The hearing is titled ‘TikTok: How Congress Can Safeguard American Data Privacy and Protect Children from Online Harms.’ The Republican-led House Energy and Commerce Committee will host the hearing on Thursday, March 23, at 10 AM ET.
TikTok CEO, Shou Zi Chew, is set to appear before Congress for the first time amid escalating threats from the Biden administration against the video-sharing app.
The government has been scrutinizing TikTok, with concerns about the safety of minors, privacy, and security practices, and the possibility of unauthorized foreign access to US user data. Chew has reassured the government that the company will address these concerns to safeguard its US user base, but the future of TikTok in the US remains uncertain.
Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Biden administration requested that TikTok be sold due to national security concerns, but ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, is reluctant to sell its greatest asset simply because US politicians want it to.
What To Expect From The Congress Hearing
In the upcoming congressional hearing, Chew will argue that TikTok has enormous potential and that thousands of small businesses rely on the platform. He will also push back on the idea that ByteDance is solely Chinese-owned, as the company has many international investors.
Additionally, Chew will stress that Chinese laws cannot compel ByteDance to share American data, as TikTok is a US-based company with its data stored in the US.
However, lawmakers will likely press Chew on measures that TikTok is taking to protect minors on the app, and on concerns that the Chinese government could leverage the app to further state interests due to ByteDance’s Chinese ownership.
While there is no evidence that China is harvesting data on Americans or shaping political behavior through TikTok’s algorithms, concerns about the company’s privacy practices remain. Ultimately, the congressional hearing may determine the fate of TikTok in the US.
Congressional hearings such as this often make headlines for specific exchanges, and it remains to be seen how this one will play out. Nonetheless, the hearing is the latest effort by lawmakers to hold tech companies accountable for their negative impacts on society.
@tiktok Our CEO, Shou Chew, shares a special message on behalf of the entire TikTok team to thank our community of 150 million Americans ahead of his congressional hearing later this week.
♬ original sound – TikTok
TikTok has become a cultural phenomenon with over 150 million American users, and many small businesses have grown on the platform. A ban on the app would result in significant losses for both users and businesses. The stakes are high for TikTok, and Chew’s testimony will likely shape the future of the app in the US.
TikTok has faced scrutiny from multiple countries over national security concerns, and the company has made efforts to address these concerns by expanding its US operations and hiring American executives. However, the pressure from the US government remains, and it remains to be seen how TikTok will navigate the political landscape.
As the hearing approaches, all eyes will be on Chew and his defense of TikTok. The fate of the app in the US hangs in the balance, and the outcome of this hearing could have far-reaching implications for both the app and the broader tech industry.