Tiktok Ceo: It's Not About The Ownership

In a recent congressional hearing, the CEO of TikTok, Mr. Chu, faced intense scrutiny over the company's ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Members of Congress expressed concerns over user data privacy and the potential influence of the CCP on the popular social media platform. The hearing shed light on the complex relationship between TikTok and the Chinese government, raising questions about the platform's commitment to American values and user security.

The Chairman's Comments

During a Communist Bureau study session in May 2021, CCP leader Chairman Xi Jinping instructed colleagues to target different countries and audiences with short-form videos. These comments sparked concerns among Congress members about TikTok's role as a platform for spreading propaganda and misinformation. When asked about these comments, Mr. Chu stated that he was not aware of them.

The Relationship with the Chinese Communist Party

One of the main points of contention in the congressional hearing was Mr. Chu's relationship with Mr. Zhang Fuping, the CCP secretary at ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. While Mr. Chu denied having frequent contact with Mr. Zhang, he acknowledged having regular contact with the CEO of ByteDance, who is also named Zhang. This raised concerns about the level of influence the CCP may have on TikTok's operations.

Shared Legal Teams

Congress members pointed out that TikTok and ByteDance share legal teams, suggesting a closer relationship between the two entities. Mr. Chu confirmed this, stating that the general counsel overseeing legal matters for TikTok is an American lawyer. However, he emphasized that this did not imply direct ownership or control by the CCP.

Access to User Data

Another major concern raised in the hearing was the potential access that ByteDance, and by extension, the CCP, may have to user data on TikTok. Although Mr. Chu initially evaded the question, he eventually admitted that after Project Texas, ByteDance has the ability to access user data. This admission raised alarms among Congress members who questioned whether Mr. Chu had discussed this scenario with his team and had a plan to protect user data.

Discrepancy with the Communist Party

Mr. Chu faced criticism for his lack of clarity on his position regarding the CCP. When asked if he agreed or disagreed with the Communist Party, Mr. Chu hesitated, eventually stating that he disagreed. Congress members pressed him to explain this discrepancy, highlighting their concern about TikTok's association with a party that they perceive as not caring about America's interests.

Project Texas and Future Plans

Project Texas, a billion-dollar initiative, was brought up during the hearing as evidence of TikTok's commitment to the CCP. Congress members wanted to understand Mr. Chu's expectations and how this project would impact the relationship between TikTok and the CCP. Mr. Chu stated that Project Texas was an expansion for the future and emphasized the need to protect user data.

TikTok's Commitment to American Values

Congress members stressed the importance of TikTok being an American company with American values. They questioned whether TikTok would be willing to divest from ByteDance and sever ties with the CCP if instructed to do so by the Department of Treasury. Mr. Chu responded by acknowledging the need to address privacy concerns but emphasized that ownership was not the issue. He cited the data privacy issues faced by other American social media companies as evidence that ownership alone did not guarantee data security.

The Migration of User Data

One topic of discussion was the migration of user data to the Oracle Cloud infrastructure. Mr. Chu confirmed this migration, explaining that it was in progress and that the technical details would need further clarification. He assured Congress members that the team overseeing data security was composed of American personnel and was responsible for ensuring user data's protection.

Concerns about CCP Manipulation of Data

Congress members expressed concerns about the CCP's potential ability to manipulate data and influence U.S. users through TikTok. While Mr. Chu did not disagree with the statements by the FBI and NSA directors about the CCP's capabilities, he stressed TikTok's efforts to safeguard user data and prevent unauthorized access.

Congressional Calls for Divestment

In light of the concerns raised during the hearing, some members of Congress called for TikTok to divest from ByteDance and sever ties with the CCP. They argued that this would ensure that user data and American interests were protected. However, Mr. Chu maintained that ownership alone did not determine data security and emphasized the importance of transparency and third-party monitoring to address these concerns.

The congressional hearing shed light on the complex relationship between TikTok and the Chinese Communist Party. While concerns were raised about user data privacy and potential influence from the CCP, Mr. Chu defended TikTok's commitment to protecting user data and emphasized the need for transparency and data security measures. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how TikTok will navigate its relationship with the Chinese government and address the concerns of American lawmakers.