Lawmakers grilled TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew on Thursday in a high-stakes hearing on the future of the popular, Chinese-owned video sharing platform in the U.S.
“While TikTok videos provide a new, fun way for people to express their creativity and enjoy the videos of others, the platform also threatens the health, privacy, and security of the American people,” said Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J. 6th District) during the hearing.
With Congress weighing a bill to fully ban TikTok, Chew made the case that the company is committed to addressing lawmakers' concerns about privacy, user safety, and data security.
“Trust is about actions we take. We will firewall protect the U.S. data from unwanted foreign access," Chew said. "TikTok will remain a place for free expression and will not be manipulated by any government."
He also stressed that protecting younger users from harmful content would be a top priority and that TikTok would allow third-party monitors to scrutinize its operations.
In addition, Chew touted an effort called Project Texas, which aims to move all data collected from U.S. citizens to within the country.
These appeals mostly fell on deaf ears, with representatives from both sides of the aisle insisting that TikTok is working closely with the Chinese government.
"I still believe that the Beijing communist government will still control and have the ability to influence what you do," said Pallone in reference to Project Texas.
Chew responded to these accusations by repeatedly noting that TikTok is an independent company. “TikTok is not available in mainland China, and today we’re currently headquartered in Los Angeles and Singapore," he said.
Overall, the hearing was short on partisan bickering, as neither Democrats or Republicans had much positive to say about the platform.
“Welcome to the most bipartisan committee in Congress,” Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga. 1st District).
Updated with the latest information from the hearing.
Dave Long, CEO and Co-Founder of Orangetheory Fitness joins Cheddar to chat trends in the industry for 2024. He updates us on the company's plans to expand and what the state of the economy has meant for business.
One of the world's largest renewable energy developers will be getting hundreds of wind turbines from General Electric spinoff GE Vernova as part of a record equipment order and long-term service deal.
A moon landing attempt by a private US company appears doomed because of a fuel leak on the newly launched spacecraft. Astrobotic Technology managed to orient the lander toward the sun Monday so its solar panel could capture sunlight and charge its onboard battery.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has announced that 100,000 businesses have signed up for a new database that collects ownership information intended to help unmask shell company owners. Yellen says the database will send the message that “the United States is not a haven for dirty money.”
A new version of the federal student aid application known as the FAFSA is available for the 2024-2025 school year, but only on a limited basis as the U.S. Department of Education works on a redesign meant to make it easier to apply.
A steep budget deficit caused by plummeting tax revenues and escalating school voucher costs will be in focus Monday as Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs and the Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature return for a new session at the state Capitol.
The first U.S. lunar lander in more than 50 years is on its way to the moon. The private lander from Astrobotic Technology blasted off Monday from Cape Canaveral, Florida, catching a ride on United Launch Alliance's brand new rocket Vulcan.
Global prices for food commodities like grain and vegetable oil fell last year from record highs in 2022, when Russia’s war in Ukraine, drought and other factors helped worsen hunger worldwide, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization said Friday.
Wall Street is drifting higher after reports showed the job market remains solid, but key parts of the economy still don’t look like they’re overheating.
