TikTok CEO tells ‘nearly half’ of US on Chinese language app politicians ‘might take TikTok away from all 150M of you’

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew used the Chinese language-owned social media platform below hearth from U.S. lawmakers and the intelligence neighborhood as a possible nationwide safety risk to ship a video message to American customers forward of his anticipated testimony earlier than Congress Thursday that, “Some politicians have began speaking about banning TikTok.”

“Now this might take TikTok away from all 150 million of you,” Chew stated within the video, which now has greater than 8.2 million views and greater than 907,500 likes as of Thursday morning. 

“Hello everybody, it is Shou right here. The CEO of TikTok. I am right here in Washington, D.C., at the moment, and I’ve some information and updates to share with everybody right here,” Chew, donning an off-the-cuff white T-shirt, denims and a navy blue zip-up sweatshirt, stated in a pleasant tone. “Right this moment, I am tremendous excited to announce that greater than 150 million Individuals are on TikTok.” 

The on-screen textual content notes that 150 million represents the variety of month-to-month lively customers. 

HERE’S THE DATA THJAT TIKTOK COLLECTS ON ITS USERS

“That is nearly half of the U.S. coming to TikTok to attach, to share, to study or simply to have some enjoyable,” Chew stated. “This contains 5 million companies that use TikTok to succeed in their prospects, and nearly all of these are small or medium companies. Now these numbers are superb. And I am so grateful to all of you, and the 7,000 TikTok workers within the U.S. whop are serving to us construct this unimaginable neighborhood in America and world wide.” 

“Now this comes at a pivotal second for us,” Chew continues, sitting in a chair in entrance of a window overlooking the Capitol constructing. “Some politicians have began speaking about banning TikTok. Now this might take TikTok away from all 150 million of you.” 

“I will be testifying earlier than Congress late this week to share all that we’re doing to guard Individuals utilizing the app. And ship on a mission to encourage creativity and to carry pleasure,” Chew stated within the 1-minute-9-second clip shared earlier this week. “Let me know within the feedback what you need your elected representatives to learn about what you’re keen on about TikTok.” 

FBI DIRECTOR CHRIS WRAY TESTIFIES CHINESE-OWNED TIKTOK HAS POWER TO ‘DRIVE NARRATIVES,’ ‘DIVIDE AMERICANS’

The Wall Avenue Journal reported U.S. authorities have been contemplating banning TikTok ban if ByteDance doesn’t promote the corporate. A Chinese language authorities official warned Thursday {that a} pressured sale “would significantly harm buyers from a number of nations together with China” and damage “confidence to put money into the US.” 

FBI Director Chris Wray testified earlier than Senate and Home intelligence committees earlier this month about TikTok’s energy to “drive narratives” and “divide Individuals towards one another.” 

TikTok known as on its “creators” to descend on Washington, D.C., to foyer lawmakers and attraction to the media in regards to the positives of the app for small enterprise homeowners earlier than Thursday. 

Chew is ready to testify earlier than the Home Power and Commerce Committee, the place he’s dealing with lawmakers in regards to the extent to which American’s privateness is jeopardized and that their information is manipulated by TikTok’s relationship with China in addition to the impression of the platform’s algorithm on youngsters.

Whereas the Biden administration has reportedly demanded Chinese language homeowners divest their stakes within the app, President Biden himself has known as on TikTok creators to assist attain youthful audiences concerning points such because the Inflation Discount Act, the struggle in Ukraine and the midterm elections. 

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America, Britain and New Zealand’s parliament have banned the usage of TikTok on government-issued telephones. India has banned TikTok and dozens of different Chinese language apps, together with the WeChat message service, on safety and privateness grounds.

The Related Press contributed to this report. 

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