Congress Addresses TikTok’s CEO In An Hours Long Hearing

CEO Shou Chew used his testimony to stress TikTok's independence from China as well as highlight its ties with the U.S..

On Thursday, TikTok CEO, Shou Chew, appeared in front of Congress for the first time for a hearing that lasted over five hours.

Congress members addressed Chew with many questions ranging from concerns for young and easily influenced users, to the sharing of incorrect medical information. However, the main topic surrounded the threat of American data and information being shared with China.

Chew used his testimony to stress TikTok’s independence from China as well as highlight its ties with the U.S..

Despite his repeated efforts to explain that his company is not an arm of the Chinese government, many Congress members were not in agreement and often interrupted the chief executive’s testimony to state they do not believe him.

Overall, Chew attempted to ease the long-standing concerns about the app and called the fears of Chinese government access to TikTok’s user data ‘hypothetical’.