The head of TikTok, Shou Zi Chewtried to convince the United States Congress that it does not ban the popular application due to fears in Washington that the company has Chinese government ties and affect the National security. “I have not seen any evidence” of Beijing’s access to the app’s user data, Shou Zi Chew replied, assuring that he has never had discussions with Chinese government officials in his capacity as CEO.
“Security is our priority. We do not sell data to intermediaries. We are committed to transparency. We will not be influenced by any government,” added the 40-year-old Singaporean, hinting however that ByteDance’s lawyers were partially involved in her preparation for the hearing and that some US user data is still accessible to the company’s Chinese employees. Chew then specified that, in his role, he reports directly to the CEO of ByteDance.
To Florida Republican Neal Dunwho was asked if ByteDance had spied on the Americans, as is clear from some leaks, the CEO replied: “I don’t think the word espionage is the right term.” Then he highlighted how many of the national security concerns raised are based on “speculation” about what China “might do.” “The audience expected answers, but raises even more questions“said the Democrat irritated Lisa Blunt Rochester.
He 40 year old Singaporean will address the mighty House Committee on Commerce and Energy at 14 (GMT) to undergo a interrogation of hours by republicans and democratswho fear that beijing subvert site for to spy or do propaganda.
Chinese company owned bytedance, TikTok is under enormous pressure in Western countries: officials of the governments of United States, United Kingdom and Canadaas well as the European Comissionthey saw each other forced to eliminate the app on your devices.
Meanwhile, the British broadcaster BBC advised his staff on Tuesday to remove TikTok of their phones. While the most serious threat comes from USAwhose government gave an ultimatum so that TikTok cease to be Chinese owned or face an outright ban in the country.
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A prohibition would be an unprecedented act against a media company by Washingtonsince it would deprive 150 million monthly users in the country of an application that became a cultural powerhouseespecially for young people, and in the main source of entertainment after Netflix.
“TikTok has repeatedly chosen the path of more control, more surveillance, and more manipulation. Their platform should be banned,” he said. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, chair of the House Committee on Commerce and Energy, as the hearing began. “The Chinese Communist Party can collect confidential information (from American TikTok users) and control what we ultimately see, hear and believe“added the Republican legislator.
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At a particularly awkward moment, Chew acknowledged that some Americans’ personal data was still subject to Chinese law.but insisted that psoon that will change.
The congressmen also confronted the manager with examples of young users who promote suicide or dangerous exercisess that have been fatal, a phenomenon that -however- is repeated on Instagram, Twitter, and other platforms. “Your technology is literally leading to death”said the congressman Gus Bilirakis, while pointing to a family in the audience whose son died in a rail tragedy that his relatives say was TikTok-related.
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Before the hearing, China’s Ministry of Commerce said it would “strongly oppose” a forced sale, and stressed that any sale or spin-off of TikTok would require the approval of the Chinese authorities. “Forcing the sale of TikTok will seriously undermine the confidence of investors from various countries, including China, to invest in the United States,” added Shu Juetingspokesman for the aforementioned portfolio.
A sale of the application, even with the agreement of all parties, would be very complicated, since separating the powerful algorithm of “TikTok and ByteDance would be like a Siamese twin operation”Wedbush analyst Dan Ives told the AFP news agency. Chew promotes a company plan, known as Project Texas, to satisfy national security concerns.l, according to which the handling of user data in United States territory it would be limited to a US-led division.
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Users protest in the US Congress so that they do not ban TikTok
A group of TikTok content creators went to the Wednesday United States Capitol for to protest against calls to ban The popular chinese video appamid fears that it represents a security threat national.
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A group of a dozen teenagers, teachers and business owners went to the Congress to raise their voice in opposition to a potential veto and highlighted the benefits of TikTok in their lives and livelihoods.
Source: Ambito
