On Thursday, TikTok CEO Shou Chew will appear before members of the US Congress to answer questions about the platform’s data security and protection of children. The US has been discussing a potential ban on the app due to concerns about data security. Chew released a comprehensive statement ahead of the hearing, dismissing many allegations as unfounded, particularly those involving connections to China. TikTok has headquarters located in Los Angeles and Singapore, and although it is part of the Bytedance group, around 60% of it is owned by western investors.
Critics argue that the Chinese founders retain control due to higher voting rights, and Bytedance has a large headquarters in Beijing. Chew insists that TikTok is a global company and not an agent of China or any country. Citizens Labs, an independent security research firm, confirmed in a 2021 investigation that TikTok does not transmit data to China, nor does it have any contact with servers there. Instead, US user data is stored in the US as part of “Project Texas” and is closely monitored by Oracle.
Chew’s statement also addresses recent allegations of espionage against Bytedance, which TikTok denies. It condemns the actions of individuals involved in such incidents and is conducting its investigation with an outside law firm. Chew emphasizes that TikTok does not monitor its users and does not require real names, employment, or relationship information. The app does not collect precise or approximate GPS information from US users.
Despite representing only 10% of the global TikTok community, the US generates 25% of all worldwide views. Chew explains that TikTok is of great importance, socially and economically, in the US, with more than 150 million users, including small and medium-sized businesses that use the app for their operations. Although TikTok is not a Chinese company, Chew is expected to face questions about the platform’s ties to China and Bytedance. How he responds could affect the app’s future in the US.
