The five-hour appearance of Shou Zi Chew, TikTok’s CEO, at Congress faced contentious questioning over the app’s relationship with China and its youngest users’ protections.
The company’s meteoric popularity over the last few years, owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, has raised concerns about China’s influence over the app. During the hearing, Chew repeatedly tried to resist criticisms about this topic, stating in his prepared testimony that ByteDance is not an agent of China or any other country. Lawmakers also questioned whether the company’s proposed solution, Project Texas, would offer sufficient protection against Chinese laws requiring user data to be accessible to the government. As part of Project Texas, the relocation of all US user data to domestic servers by the end of the year was also questioned. Additionally, lawmakers were concerned about the safety and mental health of young TikTok users. Reports of drug-related content spreading on the app, allowing teens to purchase dangerous substances easily online, and self-harm and eating disorder content were discussed. TikTok is facing lawsuits over deadly challenges that have gone viral on the app. The hearing also addressed the uncertainty surrounding the app’s future, with the federal government has already barred TikTok on government devices and the Biden administration threatening a national ban. However, the idea of a nationwide ban faces enormous hurdles, both legally and in the court of public opinion, with a coalition of civil liberties, privacy and security groups, including Fight for the Future, the Center for Democracy and Technology, and the American Civil Liberties Union, opposing a ban.
Despite TikTok’s efforts to alleviate concerns over its relationship with China and protect its youngest users, whether the app will survive in the United States remains to be seen. While the app continues to grow in popularity, some lawmakers and advocacy groups have called for a national ban due to fears of Chinese influence and data privacy concerns.
During the hearing, Chew repeatedly emphasized that ByteDance is not an agent of the Chinese government and that TikTok’s privacy practices align with other social media platforms. He also outlined the company’s efforts to address concerns over user safety, including removing harmful content and implementing parental controls.
However, some lawmakers remain unconvinced, with Colorado senator Michael Bennet reiterating calls for a national ban on TikTok. The recent report from the Wall Street Journal, indicating that the Chinese government would not approve a sale of TikTok, has further bolstered concerns over the app’s relationship with China.
The possibility of a national ban faces significant hurdles, both legally and in the court of public opinion. Previous attempts to ban TikTok under the Trump administration were blocked in court due in part to free speech concerns. Additionally, a coalition of civil liberties, privacy, and security groups have written a letter opposing a ban, arguing that it would violate constitutional rights to freedom of expression.
As the debate over TikTok’s future in the United States continues, it remains to be seen whether the app will overcome concerns over Chinese influence and data privacy to maintain its position as one of the country’s most popular social media platforms.