TikTok CEO Addresses Pivotal Moment Amid Growing Calls for US Ban
As TikTok faces mounting scrutiny over national security concerns, CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Chew will reveal that the Chinese-owned social media platform now has 150 million active users in the United States, a significant increase from the 100 million users reported in 2020. This figure excludes children under the age of 13, with 8% of users being under 18, and the average age of a regular TikTok user being under 31.
In a video posted on TikTok, Chew addressed the possibility of a ban on the platform, stating that "some politicians have started talking about banning TikTok." He encouraged users to leave comments about their love for the app and highlighted that 5 million US businesses use TikTok to reach customers.
Lawmakers from both parties have raised concerns about TikTok's potential threats to national security, privacy, and the influence of the Chinese Communist Party. FBI Director Chris Wray testified about the app's power to "drive narratives" and "divide Americans against each other."
In response to these concerns, TikTok has committed to spending $1.5 billion on a program to store US user data with American partner Oracle Corp., aiming to protect information from the Chinese government.
Despite the White House's support for a bipartisan bill that could restrict or ban foreign-produced technology like TikTok, President Biden recently appeared in a video shared on the platform in honor of St. Patrick's Day. The administration has also leveraged TikTok creators to reach younger audiences regarding various initiatives.
Ahead of Chew's congressional testimony, TikTok has arranged for a group of creators, including small business owners, entertainers, and activists, to lobby lawmakers at the Capitol. They plan to hold a press conference discussing TikTok's positive influence and the impact a ban would have on their livelihoods and ability to educate the next generation.
A recent Quinnipiac Poll revealed that 49% of Americans support a national ban on TikTok, with only 33% of those aged 18 to 34 supporting a ban, and 69% opposing it. The Department of Justice is reportedly investigating TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, for allegedly collecting data and conducting surveillance on American journalists.
Shou Zi Chew's appearance before Congress will address these concerns and emphasize the importance of TikTok to its rapidly growing user base and the US businesses that rely on the platform.