Photo: ANP
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testifies before a US congressional committee on March 23. He did so due to growing concerns about the Chinese video app. US politicians, especially Republicans, fear TikTok is sharing data with the Chinese government and using the app for propaganda and manipulation.
This is the first time that a TikTok CEO has appeared before a US congressional committee. Shortly before his testimony, in February, a bill to ban the app will be voted on in the United States.
Committee chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers is demanding more information from TikTok about the app’s impact on young users. “TikTok knowingly allowed the Chinese Communist Party to access American user data. Americans deserve to know how this affects their privacy and the security of their data.” She and the other panelists are concerned about the harmful content and sexual exploitation of minors on the platform.
TikTok itself has previously said it is focused on the safety of young users and restricting some features for them. The company has also stated for some time that users’ data is safe.
This month, TikTok received a €5 million fine from French authorities. According to the French data protection watchdog, it has been very difficult for users to refuse cookies, and this is not allowed. TikTok also didn’t inform site visitors well enough about cookies.
