TikTok’s Head “Shou Zi Chew” Testifies Before Congress Amid Possible US Ban Threat

With a likely to happen ban on TikTok in the US, Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of the platform faced Congress stating about the app mentioning Project Texas as well. For the past few years, TikTok with its growing user base has been under the radar as well. As several countries’ governments have stated national security threats coming from TikTok. But what’s the CEO of TikTok recently said about the app?

Read ahead to know more about TikTok’s CEO facing Congress on issues about the platform imposing security threats.

Most Americans want to ban TikTok claiming it poses a national security threat according to poll 👀 pic.twitter.com/PLoYcgRE4g

— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) March 23, 2023

TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew faces Congress in the context of possible US ban on the app

TikTok with its growing popularity has also been under the radar of government and its authorities in several countries. In from past few months, there have been reports of a possible ban of the app in the US. As the national security threats coming from the app have been concerning the governments.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew's response when questioned over US user data.

Google, FB, IG and YT have all been lobbying the US government to ban TikTok because their platforms and algorithm just can't compete with that of TikTok. TikTok is just killin' it in Silicone Valley. pic.twitter.com/zO3YngFwNa

— Yes, it's me (@ElysiusThor) March 23, 2023

Well, in the context of the same issues with TikTok. Recently, TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew faced Congress for testifying on the data collection policy of the app and other issues. In a more than 5-hour hearing of Chew, he testified how TikTok is not a threat to the national security of any country.

What did TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew testify about TikTok?

Shou Zi Chew has been the CEO of TikTok since the year 2021. After all the allegations on TikTok for being a threat to the national security of countries. It was on March 23rd that Chew testified on the allegations surrounding the app. Amid reports of a possible ban on the app in the US.

Chew in his testimony said that the app doesn’t pose national security threats. After appearing before House Energy and Commerce Committee. He testified saying “(To) state this unequivoc ally: ByteDance is not an agent of China or any other country”. Not to forget, TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a company that has been said to have its headquarters in Beijing.

TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew talked about Project Texas

During the hearing of CEO Chew, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the representative claimed about TikTok’s “potential foreign influence on American life”. On the other hand, Democrat Frank Pallone said about TikTok’s spread of misinformation. However, testifying on the same, Chew said that TikTok is run by a Singaporean and is a Singaporean company.

1. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew attempted to quell concerns about the app's connection with Beijing and teen safety, as skeptical lawmakers grilled him for over 5 hours at Congress.

"We do not promote or remove content at the request of the Chinese government," Chew said. pic.twitter.com/Fv004gVzoM

— BFM News (@NewsBFM) March 24, 2023

He even stated about Project Texas. Project Texas is an endeavour wherein the organisation would be moving all its US data to domestic servers. With also deleting any or every data of the user. He said that this might get completed by the end of this year.

Not to miss, Project Texas is a $1.5 billion security project. He said, “Under this structure, there is no way for the Chinese government to access it or compel access to it”.

Hi! As we speak:

– the ceo of tiktok is being interrogated by congress with intent to ban TikTok in America

– anti lgbtqia legislation is being passed banning gender affirming health care & drag shows

– Jim Crow era laws are being reinstated in Mississippi

— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) March 23, 2023

Both parties want to ban TikTok. This would be a massive violation of free speech for Americans. Whatever data they claim the Chinese government gets from TikTok can be easily purchased around the world as it is sold be Meta, Twitter, etc to third parties in bundles.

— Prof Zenkus (@anthonyzenkus) March 17, 2023

If you think the US needs a TikTok ban and not a comprehensive privacy law regulating data brokers, you don’t care about privacy, you just hate that a Chinese company has built a dominant social media platform.

— Eva (@evacide) March 23, 2023

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