Last Updated on January 31, 2023
The CEO of TikTok will be testifying before Congress in March.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will be questioned about the social media platform’s data security and its connection to the Chinese government.
The company that owns TikTok is ByteDance, which is based in Beijing. Chew was ordered to testify by the House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce committee.
On Monday, the committee released a statement announcing their intentions to look into “TikTok’s consumer privacy and data security practices, the platforms’ impact on kids, and their relationship with the Chinese Communist Party.”
“ByteDance-owned TikTok has knowingly allowed the ability for the Chinese Communist Party to access American user data. Americans deserve to know how these actions impact their privacy and data security, as well as what actions TikTok is taking to keep our kids safe from online and offline harms,” the statement added.
As National File reported in August, the popular social media platform can monitor users’ personal information when it is entered into the in-app browser:
“Users who click on links on Tiktok are led to a native in-app browser produced by Tiktok, and not default browsers like Safari or Google Chrome.
The JavaScript code in Tiktok’s in-app browser can allow the company to monitor every keystroke. This means the social media company could access every action taken on the screen, even passwords or credit card information.”
When Donald Trump was president he signed an executive order which would have implemented an executive order banning the app across the U.S. However, the ban was not carried out because ByteDance sued the government, alleging the company was denied due process to argue against claims suggesting it was a national security threat.
The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a vote in February which could block the app’s usage across the country.
Chew’s hearing is set to take place on March 23.
Stay tuned to National File for any updates.