TikTok Under Fire as CEO Refuses to Address Chinese Government Concerns
TikTok CEO Shou Chew recently faced a grilling from lawmakers regarding the popular social media app’s potential ties to the Chinese government. Despite mounting concerns about Beijing’s influence on the platform, Chew refused to answer questions about the issue during a recent hearing.
Lawmakers are now considering a ban on TikTok over fears that the Chinese government could access sensitive user data through the app. The House has already passed a bill that would block TikTok in the U.S. unless its parent company, Bytedance, divests.
Chew has denied any Chinese government influence on TikTok, pointing out that Bytedance is owned by global investors. However, critics have accused him of censoring anti-Chinese government content in the past.
Opponents of the proposed ban, including young people and activists, have been lobbying Congress to reject the measure. Some individuals have even resorted to threatening suicide over the potential ban, prompting concerns about the impact of such a drastic move.
FOX Business reached out to TikTok for comment, but the company did not provide a response. With the future of the popular app hanging in the balance, the controversy surrounding TikTok and its alleged ties to the Chinese government shows no signs of abating.
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