TikTok CEO testifies on Capitol Hill as app faces possible ban

Lawmakers press TikTok CEO over data security, misinformation and other issues.

Last Updated: March 23, 2023, 3:24 PM EDT

A high-stakes standoff between the U.S. government and social media app TikTok over a potential ban had its reckoning on Thursday when TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before a committee of House lawmakers.

The China-based app, which counts more than 150 million U.S. users each month, has faced growing scrutiny from government officials over fears that user data could fall into the possession of the Chinese government and the app could be weaponized by China to spread misinformation.

There is no evidence that TikTok has shared U.S. user data with the Chinese government, but policymakers fear that the Chinese government could compel the company to do so.

Mar 23, 2023, 3:24 PM EDT

TikTok CEO on national security fears: ‘I have not seen any evidence.'

Raising national security concerns, Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., listed a slew of Western countries as well as the FBI that have warned about the Chinese government accessing and exploiting user data.

"How can all of these countries and our own FBI director be wrong?" Lesko asked.

Rep. Debbie Lasko of Arizona listed various nations that have warned about the Chinese government accessing and exploiting TikTok user data.
2:28

TikTok CEO on national security fears: 'I have not seen any evidence'

Rep. Debbie Lasko of Arizona listed various nations that have warned about the Chinese government accessing and exploiting TikTok user data.

"I think a lot of risks that are pointed out are hypothetical and theoretical risks," Chew responded. "I have not seen any evidence."

"I'm eagerly awaiting discussions where we talk about evidence," he added. "And we then can address the concerns that are being raised."

TikTok has not shared U.S. user data with the Chinese government, nor would it comply if asked to do so, Chew previously said.

Mar 23, 2023, 1:52 PM EDT

House member on dangerous TikTok challenge videos: ‘Why is it that you can’t control this?’

Rep. Earl Carter, R-Ga., asked Chew about dangerous TikTok challenge videos such as the “blackout challenge,” which critics say encourages users to strangle themselves.

TikTok is facing several lawsuits from parents who say their children died attempting the blackout challenge. The company has blocked searches for #blackoutchallenge, The Washington Post reported.

“Why is it that TikTok consistently fails to identify and moderate these kinds of harmful videos?” Carter asked. “Why is it that you can’t control this?”

Chew replied, “This is a real industry challenge and we’re working very hard.”

“We’re not talking about the industry,” Carter replied back. “We’re talking about TikTok.”

Mar 23, 2023, 4:45 PM EDT

During hearing, TikTok takes down video threatening committee chair

Rep. Kat Cammack showed a TikTok video of an animated gun shooting bullets that appeared to target Rep. McMorris Rodgers, the committee chair.

"Your own community guidelines state that you have a firm stance against enabling violence on or off TikTok," Cammack said when she revealed the video. "This video has been up for 41 days."

The video was taken down during the hearing, Chew confirmed when the hearing resumed after a short break.

The video was brought to the attention to the CEO during the hearing and was pulled down after allegedly being on the social media site for 41 days.
2:02

TikTok pulls video apparently threatening chair of House Energy and Commerce Committee

The video was brought to the attention to the CEO during the hearing and was pulled down after allegedly being on the social media site for 41 days.

Mar 23, 2023, 3:01 PM EDT

Heated questions over internal memo calling on TikTok employees to ‘downplay’ China ties

Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., directed heated questions at Chew over an internal memo at TikTok that called on employees to "downplay the parent company ByteDance, downplay the China association, downplay AI."

Cammack displayed an excerpt of the memo, first reported by Gizmodo, on a placard behind her.

The internal memo, referenced by Florida Rep. Kat Cammack, allegedly called on employees to "downplay the parent company ByteDance, downplay the China association, downplay AI."
0:46

TikTok CEO questioned over internal memo asking employees to 'downplay' China ties

The internal memo, referenced by Florida Rep. Kat Cammack, allegedly called on employees to "downplay the parent company ByteDance, downplay the China association, downplay AI."

"You've said repeatedly that there is no threat, that this is a platform for entertainment and for fun," Cammack said, pointing her finger at Chew. "Why, if you had nothing to hide, would you need to downplay the association with ByteDance and China?"

Chew replied: "Congresswoman, I have not seen that memo."

"You cannot answer that question, Mr. Chew," Cammack said.

Related Topics