TikTok chief executive Shou Zi Chew will face attacks on multiple fronts when he testifies before Congress on Thursday, with views that will help define the future of the social media app in the US.
Bipartisan calls to ban the platform grew out of fears that it could be used by the Chinese Communist party for espionage or propaganda purposes. However, the 40-year-old will tell the energy and trade committee of the House of Representatives that TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, based in Beijing, “is not an agent of China”, according to comments prepared before the hearing.
ByteDance has also been asked by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (Cfius) – an inter-agency panel that evaluates foreign investments – to sell TikTok in the US to distance itself from Beijing. This comes despite having spent around $2bn on a partnership with Oracle designed to protect data and content from Chinese influence.
“TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, was founded by Chinese entrepreneurs, but has grown into a global company since its founding,” Chew said, adding that TikTok has not and will not share data on its 150 million US users with China.
Whether that request is made will depend on how Chew, a former Goldman Sachs banker from Singapore, handles questions from representatives about the company’s ties to Beijing. They will also raise other concerns about the app, including whether it is safe for minors and has a reasonable moderation process.
Before the hearing, TikTok had made a public relations push. This includes inviting certain creators in Washington, many of whom make a living advertising for brands to a large following on the platform, to help politicians lobby against the ban, according to a report by Information confirmed by TikTok.
Jamal Bowman leads a rally in defense of TikTok at the US Capitol © AP
On Wednesday, more than 20 activists held a press conference on the Capitol grounds with Jamaal Bowman, a Democratic member of the House of Representatives, to protest against any ban. The New York representative has emerged as one of the allies of several platforms on Capitol Hill.
Surrounded by influencers holding signs with slogans such as “stay on TikTok” or “my small business grows on TikTok”, Bowman said that the Republicans have created a “Red Scare around China”. He said, “it poses the same threat to companies like Facebook and Instagram, and YouTube and Twitter.”
In recent weeks, members of the company’s UK press team have also been flown to Washington in preparation for their appearance in Congress. One person familiar with the preparations said the company is spending everything on Chew’s personal performance. “They’re very concerned about banning TikTok, and think they can do it,” the person said.
However, TikTok’s critics remain skeptical ahead of the trial.
“While I appreciate Mr. Chew’s willingness to answer questions before Congress, TikTok’s lack of transparency, repeated confusion, and factual misrepresentations have undermined the credibility of any statements made by TikTok employees, including Mr. Chew,” said Mark Warner, a Democrat who is the chairman. the Senate select committee on intelligence.
Warner is one of the main sponsors of a new White House-backed bill that would give the administration new powers to ban Chinese apps that pose security threats, including TikTok.