In the Theater of TikTok: Congress vs. Privacy
The stage was set for drama: a congressional hearing, a Chinese-owned social media giant, and a country’s concerns about privacy and national security. The spotlight shone on TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew as he faced the music, ready to address the chorus of concerns echoing through the halls of Congress.
It’s a thrilling tale, not unlike a Shakespearean play. The protagonist, TikTok, boasts a staggering 150 million users in the U.S., a testament to its power and reach. But lurking in the shadows are whispers of distrust, with the ominous presence of Big Tech and the Chinese government never far from the scene.
The hearing, hosted by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, explored the many concerns that surround TikTok. From national security issues due to its Chinese ownership to the potential harm to young users’ mental health, Chew was faced with a barrage of questions.
In his opening statements, Chew attempted to quell the fears by reassuring that TikTok would prioritize the safety of minors, bolster privacy and security practices, and fend off any unauthorized foreign access to U.S. user data. He stated emphatically that TikTok has never shared data on U.S. users with the Chinese government and would not comply if they requested it.
But the accusations didn’t stop there. The Committee Chair, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, raised concerns about harmful algorithms and children’s exposure to dangerous content online, demanding accountability from Big Tech companies like TikTok. The committee’s leadership also intended to probe TikTok’s measures to protect children on the app, emphasizing the need to mitigate its negative societal impacts.
The most pressing issue, however, was the fear that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, could be leveraged by the Chinese government to further its interests. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, privacy practices at the company have faced scrutiny. Investigations have revealed instances of potential privacy breaches, like the tracking of U.S. journalists via their TikTok activity.
In response, TikTok launched Project Texas, a self-regulation campaign aimed at showcasing the company’s transparency and commitment to U.S. interests. This effort, backed by $1.5 billion in infrastructure spending and corporate re-organization, hopes to construct a virtual firewall between its American business and Chinese ownership.
But the U.S. government isn’t backing down. Echoes of the Trump administration’s efforts to force ByteDance to sell TikTok to Oracle linger in the air, with the Biden administration picking up the baton. In a twist of fate, TikTok ended up partnering with Oracle to shift U.S. data to American servers and audit its algorithms and content moderation systems.
As the curtains closed on Thursday’s explosive hearing, the question remained: Will TikTok and ByteDance’s efforts be enough to secure their place in the U.S.? The future of TikTok, like the conclusion of a suspenseful play, remains uncertain. But one thing is sure — the drama will continue to unfold.
What do you think will happen next? What do you think SHOULD happen next?
PS- My Monday morning weekly LinkedIn newsletter helps business owners figure out the intersection of business, law, web3, ai and the metaverse.
