(MENAFN) Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of TikTok, is set to appear before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce on Thursday to address concerns about the popular video-sharing app's possible national security risks and its effects on its young user base. Chew plans to emphasize TikTok's commitment to user safety, data protection, and security, as well as its efforts to keep the platform free from Chinese government influence.
Chew is expected to stick to a familiar script, urging officials to avoid an all-out ban on TikTok or its sale to new owners. He will also highlight the steps taken by TikTok to ensure the security of its user data, including the USD1.5 billion project to store the information on Oracle servers in the U.S. and allowing outside monitors to inspect its source code. Chew's prepared remarks suggest that these efforts go "above and beyond" what any of its rivals are doing, and that "no other social media company, or entertainment platform like TikTok, provides this level of access and transparency."
Despite these assurances, TikTok has faced intense scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and regulators over concerns that the app's Chinese ownership could compromise the privacy and security of its users. The Trump administration had even attempted to ban the app outright, but the move was blocked by the courts. As such, Chew's appearance before the committee is being closely watched as a key moment in the ongoing debate over TikTok's future in the U.S. market.
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