TikTok CEO, Shou Zi Chewfaced his first public confrontation in front of the United States Congress Thursday. The manager of the social network tried to allay concerns about the app’s alleged ties to the Chinese government. But also to reassure about the ability to counter “harmful” content. The result, however, does not seem to have changed the positions of US deputies much. Even after hearing the CEO’s reassurances, Congress appears to be on thinking about an application ban.
The CEO of TikTok in the US Congress does not avoid the possible ban
The hearing, which lasted more than five hours, took place in front of the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce. Who have made no secret of growing bipartisan support for taking action against TikTok. Indeed, Democrats and Republicans of the committee who have expressed skepticism about the company’s autonomy from the Chinese government.
Chew has tried to portray the app, which has 150 million monthly users in the US, as safe and secure. He also claimed that the company is taking actions that will exceed industry standards for data protection and transparency. But US politicians don’t seem convinced
Washington’s distrust
Lawmakers have repeatedly asked Chew about China’s influence on TikTok. The Republican chairwoman of the commission Cathy McMorris Rodgers did not mince words, saying that “His platform should be banned. I expect you will say anything today to avoid this outcome.”
The tone of the questions and statements echoed the statements of the government officials they defined TikTok a “tool” of the Chinese government. And it seems that the Biden presidency is also considering how to impose the sale of the company to an American group, or ban it altogether.
TikTok CEO Responds to Congressional Accusations
Chew argues that TikTok has never partnered with the Chinese government to share American user data and would never do so if asked. Chew also says the allegations against TikTok are based on hypotheses and not on hard evidence. Chew says he is willing to discuss the concerns of lawmakers on the basis on facts and not on speculation.
Chew’s arguments have merit, but few members of the US Congress seem willing to wait for hard evidence. US policy fears that the app could be used by foreign actors to influence or spy on American users: suspicion alone and some circumstantial evidence seem enough to become suspicious.
“These tools are very, very powerful,” Senator Mark Warner, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, told The Verge on Wednesday. Saying, “I’m not saying they’re doing it right now. But why should we wait until President Xi and China say, “I am ready to pull the trigger and invade Taiwan”?”
Will the protests of the Tiktokers have any weight?
A bipartisan bill that could lead to a ban on TikTok in the US has received backing from the White House and several senators. Il RESTRICT Actpresented by the Senators Warner e Thunewould authorize the Commerce Secretary to review and block transactions involving technologies from adversary countries such as China and Russia. At least 18 senators, from different political backgrounds, as well as the Biden administration, seem to support the TikTok ban. And it doesn’t appear that the CEO of the company convinced them to change their minds.
However, not everyone agrees with this measure. A group of House Democrats spoke out against the bill, arguing that it is based on xenophobic motivations and not on hard evidence. Congressman Bowman set up a press conference with dozens of TikTok influencers objecting to a possible ban on the app. “Usually, if there’s a national security issue, they hold a bipartisan congressional briefing on that particular issue,” Bowman said Wednesday. “We have not received a bipartisan congressional briefing on TikTok’s national security risk.”
TikTok CEO Proposes Solution to Congress: Project Texas
Both before Congress and in his written statement, the TikTok CEO pointed towards the company’s preferred solution. In an attempt to ward off concerns about Chinese flu, TikTok has pledged to transfer all data of US users to servers outside of China through a titled effort Project Texas. Something similar could also happen in Europe, bringing the servers to Ireland with Project Clover.
The company has committed to completing the effort by the end of the year. But some lawmakers have questioned whether this is possible, with hundreds of millions of lines of source code requiring revision in a relatively short period. But above all, several cybersecurity experts have expressed doubts that it is sufficient to rule out any interaction with the Beijing government.
TikTok’s reputation isn’t spotless, even if there’s no overwhelming evidence of its danger to national security. There have been several instances where ByteDance employees have improperly accessed US user data, including IP addresses of American journalists. TikTok has admitted to the scandal, claiming employees “abused their authority” and then fired them.
However, Chew did not ignore the fact chand American companies have also made similar mistakes in the past. “With all due respect, American social corporations don’t have a good reputation on data privacy and user safety,” Chew said. “Just look at Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, for example.”
A statement that makes it clear that technology and privacy are not at the center of the discussion. But also geopolitics.