The robustly growing privacy and security concerns around TikTok, has drawn Shou Chew, chief executive officer of TikTok Inc. under some questions in the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing session in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday.

Introduction

TikTok has been banned in India, as this Chinese app, just like other Chinese apps, was erupting in the case of security breaches.

While cutting this notion recently, On Thursday against the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing session in Washington, DC, US, Shou Chew, chief executive officer of TikTok Inc.said that ban on TikTok by India was nothing but ‘hypothetical’.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, while justifying the increasing privacy aspect and the potential role of the Chinese government impacting the company’s lookout before the US Congress. Amid the four hour long hearing the important questions were answered with well explanations.

Let’s briefly address the hearing and point to note here. This hearing basically revolved around the company’s stance on national security concerns from the US and the “real action” taken by the social media giant to correct some recurring concerns.

TikTok app and security it offers!

The chinese app, owned by Bytedance, a Chinese technology company concerning the new users with the security issues. For which, Shou Zi Chew numerous times focused on the social media giant has maintained the privacy of the data for prolonged periods and is not risk ridden to share the data  with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of its 150 million U.S. users.

US Lawmaker Debbie Lesko asked on the ban of TikTok in India and other countries “This (TikTok) is a tool which is ultimately under the control of the Chinese government and screams out with national security concerns Mr Chew, how can all of these countries and our FBI director be wrong?”

For the response Chew stated  “I think a lot of risks pointed out are hypothetical and theoretical risks. I have not seen any evidence,”

Debbie Lesko, again questioned, this time focusing on the ban on TikTok in India alongwith informing her colleagues “India banned TikTok in 2020. In March 21, a Forbes article revealed how data of Indian citizens who used TikTok remained accessible to employees at the company and its Beijing-based parent.

A current TikTok employee told Forbes that nearly anyone with basic access to company tools can easily look up the closest contact and other sensitive information about any user,”

In response to this Chew states that “This is a recent article; I have asked my team to look into it. We have rigorous data access protocols. There is no such thing that anybody can access the tools. So, I disagree with a lot of the conclusions,”

Debunking the statement by chew on improved security and providing privacy Lawmaker Kat Cammack of Florida told Chew that “You damn well know that you cannot protect the data and security of this committee or the 150 million users of your app because it is an extension of the CCP,” indicating it by playing a threatening video still making round on the platform for more than the month after being posted, crossing the community guidelines.

Republican representative Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, asked the CEO of TikTok during the hearing that the company was not successful to provide “100 percent guarantee” on Beijing not having an influential part in the app.

Chew responded in defence for the laid acquisition by assuring the company firewalling U.S. user data from “all unwanted foreign access”. Moreover, will be committed to keep the content  “free from any manipulation from any government.”

The hearing went ahead with lawmaker from New Jersey putting his concern forward with not sure with the security plans of TikTok by stating  “I still believe that the Beijing communist government will still control and have the ability to influence what you do,” also added that Tiktok “a benign company that’s just performing a public service … I don’t buy it.”

Before starting the hearing, China committed not to farcesale TikTok. Additionally, China’s Commerce Ministry stated that approval of the Chinese government will be required before accepting any sale demanding the export of Chinese technology.

India banned TikTok

The process of banning TikTok came with waves of worries and backlash by its ardent users. However, India imposed the ban on numerous Chinese apps, including TikTok, WeChat the messaging app in 2020 with the basic concern of security and privacy.

The ban was imposed on these Chinese apps recently after a violent clash between Indian and Chinese troops at LAC, where 20 Indian soldiers were martyred and several soldiers injured.

Even after giving time to companies to remedy the concerns of privacy security, India made the ban permanent worldwide  in January 2021.

TikTok And the US!

In the US too, not convinced with the privacy and security degree TikTok can provide. The country has already laid the embargo on TikTok across federal government devices, such as  military devices. Besides this, a number of states in the US are applying the banning policy on state government devices as well.

Conclusion

Security and privacy lacking from the Chinese app has been a massive concern now. Choose the motion if India banning TikTok and other Chinese Apps was ‘Hypothetical’.

FAQ

1. When did the hearing take place?

Ans) The hearing took place in the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing session in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday.

2. What is the US concern with TikTok?

Ans) The US is concerned with the lack of privacy and security provided by TikTok. And the members are not sure if the data is safe because it is an extension of the CCP.

3. Has the US already banned TikTok on some platforms?

Ans) The country has already laid the embargo on TikTok across federal government devices, such as  military devices. Besides this, a number of states in the US are applying the banning policy on state government devices as well.

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