TikTok CEO grilled by Congress on China connections

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew was questioned by Congress on Wednesday over the app’s connection to China and its hypothetical ban in India. Lawmakers in the US and India have expressed concerns over the app’s data privacy and security, with India already having banned the app in 2020.

India’s ban on TikTok

India’s ban on TikTok came in June 2020, citing concerns over the app’s data privacy and security. The ban was part of a larger crackdown on Chinese apps following a border clash between the two countries. TikTok was one of the most popular apps in India with over 200M+ users, and its ban in India had a significant impact on the app’s user base and Company revenue.

TikTok’s connection to China

TikTok is owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance, and its connection to China has raised concerns among US and Indian lawmakers. There have been allegations that TikTok collects user data and shares it with the Chinese government, which the company denies. In the hearing, Shou Zi Chew reiterated that TikTok stores user data in the US and Singapore, and not in China.

Tiktok Congress hearing

On March 23, 2023, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew appeared before the US Congress to answer allegations related to the app’s data privacy policies and connection to China. Chew, who is a Singaporean national, joined TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, in March 2021.

During the hearing, Shou Zi Chew was questioned by Congress lawmakers over TikTok’s connection to China and the app’s data privacy policies. Congress also raised concerns over the application used by children and its potential to spread misinformation. Chew completely denied these allegations, stating that TikTok’s data was stored in the US and Singapore and was not accessible to the Chinese government.

France’s ban on TikTok

France has also joined the list of countries banning TikTok in the Country but only for civil servants. The move comes with concerns over data privacy and security, with the French government citing “grave concerns” over the app’s use by civil servants. The ban will take effect from April 1 and will affect around 150,000 civil servants in the country. TikTok has also faced regulatory challenges in other countries as well where the app is set to be banned on the phones of civil servants. The Tiktok ban comes with concerns over data privacy and censorship and follows similar moves by other countries, including India and the US followed by France.

TikTok continues to face scrutiny over its data privacy and security policies, with lawmakers in various countries expressing concerns over the app’s use. While Shou Zi Chew defended the app’s policies during the hearing, the controversies surrounding the app are unlikely to die down anytime soon. As TikTok’s user base continues to grow, it remains to be seen how the company will address these concerns.

Key takeaways from TikTok hearing in Congress

• India banned TikTok in 2020 over concerns about data privacy and security
• TikTok is owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance
• Lawmakers in the US and India have expressed concerns over TikTok’s connection to China
• During the hearing, Shou Zi Chew defended the app’s data privacy policies
• France has banned TikTok for civil servants over data privacy concerns

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