Shou Zi Chew will testify that the app is not an “agent of China or any other country” amid allegations of national security risk.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will tell US lawmakers the Chinese-owned video app would never share user data with Beijing amid growing pressure in the US to ban the platform outright. form.
Chew will speak before the US House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday, where he is expected to be questioned about allegations that the app may be manipulated by the Chinese Communist Party.
Last week, the company confirmed reports that the White House demanded that TikTok cut ties with its Chinese owners or face a ban.
“TikTok has never shared or received any request to share data from US users with the Chinese government. Nor would TikTok honor such a request if ever made,” Chew will testify on Thursday, according to published written testimony. Tuesday by the House committee.
Chew added that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is not owned or controlled by the Chinese government or any other state entity.
“Let me say this unequivocally: ByteDance is not an agent of China or any other country,” Chew will say.
TikTok critics, including US lawmakers, say that the app poses a risk the privacy of Americans and the national security of the United States.
TikTok said it has spent more than $1.5 billion on an initiative to protect US user data known as “Project Texas”.
Beijing accused Washington of “spreading misinformation” and “removing” the app.
In a post on TikTok on Tuesday, Chew said more than 150 million people in the United States now use TikTok every month, up from 100 million in 2020.
“That’s nearly half of America coming to TikTok to connect, create, share, learn, or just have fun,” Chew said.
Chew also asked app users to “let me know in the comments what you want your elected officials to know about what you like about TikTok.”
“Some politicians started talking about banning TikTok. Now that could drive TikTok away from all 100 million and 50 million of you,” Chew said.
