TikTok CEO to Testify Before US House of Representatives on Protecting Kids from Inappropriate Content

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will be appearing for the first time before Congress when he testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on March 23. The committee chair, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, has requested that Chew address questions related to the popular Chinese-owned video app's efforts to protect children from inappropriate content and potential exploitation. 

Chew's testimony comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of the app and its parent company, ByteDance. US regulators have raised concerns about the app's data privacy and security practices, as well as its potential for censorship. The app has also been criticized for failing to adequately protect children from inappropriate content. 

The House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over consumer protection and telecommunications issues, is asking Chew to detail what measures the company is taking to protect children. Specifically, the committee wants to know what processes the company has in place to ensure that children do not encounter inappropriate content on TikTok. 

In addition to these questions, the committee is also likely to ask Chew about the company's data privacy and security measures. US regulators have raised concerns about the app's use of personal data and its potential for censorship. The company has recently unveiled a number of changes to its privacy and security policies in an effort to allay these concerns. 

It remains to be seen how Chew will respond to the committee's questions, but his testimony is likely to be closely watched by regulators, lawmakers, and the public. What do you think of the situation? Leave a comment below.