Two prominent U.S. senators are taking a closer look at TikTok, a social media app known for short videos, after the platform hired high-ranking executives from its parent company, ByteDance, based in China. Senators Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, and Marsha Blackburn, a Republican, expressed concerns about the app’s U.S. operations and the security of its American users’ data.
TikTok has yet to respond to any queries regarding the matter
The bipartisan duo reached out to the company CEO Shou Zi Chew this Tuesday, questioning the app’s so-called independence from ByteDance. Their inquiry puts the spotlight on whether TikTok is truly autonomous or is more deeply entwined with its parent company than previously assumed.
The senators are concerned that these new hires could possibly signal ByteDance’s continuing influence over the app. This is crucial as TikTok is used by over 150 million Americans and has already faced calls for a nationwide ban from U.S. lawmakers due to potential risks linked to the Chinese government.
TikTok has yet to respond to these queries, but the move adds another layer to the ongoing debates about TikTok’s place in America. The senators have requested a detailed account of what security measures are in place for employees who transfer from ByteDance in China to TikTok in the U.S.
The fresh scrutiny comes as TikTok aims to solidify its place in American digital life. While the platform has proven popular among U.S. users, doubts over data security persist. The senators’ recent actions bring these concerns front and center, signaling that TikTok has more hoops to jump through before it can put regulatory worries to rest.
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(Via)
