{"id":1903924,"date":"2023-03-23T17:10:22","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T21:10:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tiktok-trial-ceo-shou-chew-avoiding-possible-ban\/"},"modified":"2023-03-23T17:17:53","modified_gmt":"2023-03-23T21:17:53","slug":"tiktok-trial-ceo-shou-chew-avoiding-possible-ban","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tiktok-trial-ceo-shou-chew-avoiding-possible-ban\/","title":{"rendered":"TikTok Trial: CEO Shou Chew avoiding possible ban"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftiktok-trial-ceo-shou-chew-avoiding-possible-ban%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1903924&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p><!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by Olivier Douliery\/Contributor via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>OAN Brooke Mallory<br \/>UPDATED 12:59 PM \u2013 Thursday, March 23, 2023<\/p>\n<p>Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of the popular app TikTok, has testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday in front of a resistant audience. This comes as his company faces a potential ban in the United States.<\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1663871513696-art-1\" style=\"min-width: 320px; min-height: 50px;  text-align: center;\">  \t<script>  \t\tgoogletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1663871513696-art-1'); });  \t<\/script>  <\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p>The session will pose empirical issues for the U.S. government over how it modulates technology, even though only TikTok is in the spotlight. Legislators are aware that issues with extensive data collecting and the power to control what information people see go far beyond the app. Legislators and users share similar concerns about U.S. tech platforms like Meta\u2019s Facebook and Instagram, Google\u2019s YouTube, Twitter, and Snap\u2019s Snapchat.<\/p>\n<p>This entails that lawmakers will have to consider how to best handle consumer harms across the business, in addition to trying to ascertain whether TikTok can successfully protect American users under an owner who lives in a communist regime.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking with lawmakers, congressional staffers, and outside experts ahead of the hearing has highlighted the delicate line that must be crossed by the government, in order to protect American national security without taking unwarranted action against a single app and infringing on First Amendment rights.<\/p>\n<p>The possible hazards that TikTok\u2019s ownership by the Chinese corporation ByteDance poses to American national security is not widely accepted in Washington. On government-owned devices, the software has already been outlawed by Congress, and other states have followed suit.<\/p>\n<p>The interagency council entrusted with examining national security issues emanating from ByteDance\u2019s ownership has threatened a ban, if the company won\u2019t sell its part in the app.<\/p>\n<p>However, an outright prohibition presents its own set of legal difficulties.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cIf members focus solely on the prospect of a ban or a forced sale without addressing some of the more pervasive issues, particularly those facing children and younger users, shared by TikTok and U.S.-based social media companies, I think that would be a mistake,\u201d said Representative Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) who is a committee member.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The chairman of the Energy and Commerce subcommittee on innovation, data, and commerce, Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), said he and many of his colleagues are entering the meeting with an open mind to solutions. \u00a0<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cWe have to be open-minded and deliberate\u2026 But at the same time, time is of the essence,\u201d Bilirakis said in an interview on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>If the government presses for a ban when the concerns may reasonably be alleviated with a less restrictive policy, it could pose First Amendment challenges, voiced Jameel Jaffer.<\/p>\n<p>Jaffer is the executive director of the Knight First Amendment Center at Columbia University.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cA ban here is in some ways under-inclusive because it would be focused just on TikTok or a small number of platforms, when in fact many other platforms are collecting this kind of information as well\u2026 And in other ways, it would be over-broad because there are less restrictive ways that the government could achieve its ends,\u201d Jaffer said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Some people may question if denying Americans access to TikTok is really a violation of their rights, but Jaffer argued that the public should see it in the context of the U.S. government\u2019s power to regulate which media sources Americans can access.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a good thing that if the government wants to ban Americans from accessing foreign media, including foreign social media \u2026 It has to carry a heavy burden in court,\u201d Jaffer continued.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Many legislators concur that, should it choose that course, the government should make a stronger case to the American people for why a ban is required. For example, the bipartisan <a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/118th-congress\/senate-bill\/686?s=1&#038;r=15\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">RESTRICT Act<\/a> recently presented in the Senate would demand such an explanation when the government wishes to ban foreign-owned technology for national security reasons.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cThe message that I want folks to hear is that we cannot afford to pass this legislation or something like it, watch the administration ban or force the sale of TikTok and declare victory in the fight to rein in the abuses of dominant Big Tech companies\u2026 I think the conversation right now about a ban certainly threatens to let Big Tech companies off the hook, and it\u2019s on Congress not to fall into that trap,\u201d Trahan proclaimed.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>There is no way to be certain that any data gathered previously is beyond the grasp of the Chinese government, even if the U.S. is successful in banning TikTok or compelling it to separate from ByteDance.<\/p>\n<p>John Lash, who consults clients on risk mitigation agreements involving the Committee of Foreign Investment in the U.S., posed a question.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cIf that divestment would occur, how do you segregate the code bases between ByteDance and TikTok? And how is the U.S. government going to get comfortable that the asset, TikTok, which is hypothetically sold, is free of any type of backdoor that was either maliciously inserted or just weaknesses in code, errors that occur regularly in how code is structured?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Eric Cole, a cybersecurity expert who started his career as a hacker for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), said he believes the concern regarding TikTok is valid, but that his biggest issue is that it\u2019s seemingly too late to fix what has already been going on.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cAt this point, it\u2019s so embedded that even if they were successful in banning Tiktok altogether, the damage is done,\u201d Cole said. Thursday\u2019s hearing will focus on numerous senators on both sides asking for comprehensive privacy legislation, like the kind the panel <a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/house-bill\/8152\/text\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">passed last year<\/a> but which never made it to the floor for a vote.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The calls serve as acknowledgement that many of the worries about TikTok, apart from its ownership by a Chinese business, are shared by other big tech companies located in the U.S.<\/p>\n<p>Both Trahan and Bilirakis underlined the need for privacy reform as a more methodical response to the challenges raised by TikTok. Both stated they would focus on TikTok\u2019s protections in the hearing because they are especially concerned about the company\u2019s potentially detrimental effects on younger generations.<\/p>\n<p>TikTok has pushed a sophisticated scheme known as \u201cProject Texas\u201d to help appease U.S. worries over its ownership. According to the idea, it will base its domestic U.S. data operations there and permit other parties to review and submit its code to the app stores.<\/p>\n<p>Analysts and even some legislators admit that Project Texas at least offers a step forward on key aspects of consumer protection they\u2019ve campaigned for in the tech industry more widely.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cTikTok is in a really unique position right now to take some positive steps on issues that a lot of top American companies have fallen behind and frankly even regressed on, whether it\u2019s protecting kids or embracing transparency,\u201d said Trahan.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>While she believes there are still many questions TikTok needs to answer about the adequacy of Project Texas, Trahan voiced that she is still optimistic about the company\u2019s proclaimed \u201copenness to stronger transparency mechanisms.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In their pre-hearing interviews, lawmakers and aides made it clear that no matter how TikTok is addressed in particular, comprehensive privacy legislation will still be required. That way, a situation like this could be avoided in the future, and it also holds American businesses to higher standards.<\/p>\n<p>Yet, given that federal digital privacy laws don\u2019t exist yet, Lash mentioned that the U.S. should evaluate what it would mean, on a grander scale, if Project Texas were to go away.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cIn lieu of comprehensive federal data privacy regulation in the United States, which is needed, does Project Texas give the best available option right now to protect national security? And does it continue if ByteDance is forced to divest their interests?\u201d questioned Lash, whose advice is one of a select few companies with the knowledge to help the business with a contract, should a deal go through.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>According to Lash, the plan appears to address the concerns of lawmakers, but what it can\u2019t convey are \u201cthe theoretical risks around may happen, could happen as it relates to the application.\u201d<\/p>\n<p> Earlier this week, a <a href=\"https:\/\/energycommerce.house.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">House Energy and Commerce Committee<\/a> official who was only permitted to talk on the record, told reporters that TikTok\u2019s risk reduction strategies were \u201cpurely marketing.\u201d Even if the United States can be certain that the information is secure, another committee aide claimed that it would be extremely difficult to examine all of the current code for flaws.<\/p>\n<p>According to committee aides, Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), favors both a ban to address the immediate concerns TikTok poses and comprehensive privacy legislation that was approved by the committee to stop reoccurring issues.<\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday, Chew posted a personal TikTok video from his account praising the platform\u2019s 150 million monthly active users in the U.S., and urged others to add their own comments to the video explaining why TikTok is so special to them and why legislators should stop trying to ban the social media app.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on \u201cTikTok: How Congress Can Safeguard American Data Privacy and Protect Children from Online Harms,\u201d on Capitol Hill, March 23, 2023, in Washington, DC. (Photo by JIM WATSON\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<p>Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here.\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.oann.com\/alerts\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.oann.com\/alerts<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Arizona Congressman Andy Biggs weighs in on the Treasury Department\u2019s suspicious activity reports relating to investigations into Biden family corruption.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Moderna plans to quadruple the price of its COVID vaccine once it hits the commercial market drawing the anger of lawmakers on Capitol Hill.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>The Los Angeles Unified School District strikes are entering their third day with no contract agreement in sight. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>The Biden administration is threatening action against Uganda\u2019s anti-gay bill. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>(Reuters) \u2013 IT services firm Accenture Plc forecast third-quarter revenue below Wall Street estimates on Thursday on worries that budget cuts from\u2026 <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>BENGALURU (Reuters) \u2013 Indian salt-to-software conglomerate Tata Group is considering injecting another $2 billion into its super app venture to bolster its\u2026 <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>SHENZHEN, China (Reuters) \u2013 Huawei Technologies on Thursday continued to press ahead against U.S. pressure by launching a new smartphone with a\u2026 <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>(Reuters) \u2013 Alphabet Inc\u2019s Google will set up its second cloud region in Italy, the company said on Thursday in a blog,\u2026 <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/body><\/html><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>(Photo by Olivier Douliery\/Contributor via Getty Images) OAN Brooke MalloryUPDATED 12:59 PM \u2013 Thursday, March 23, 2023 Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of the popular app TikTok, has testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday in front of a resistant audience. This comes as his company faces a potential ban in the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1866,"featured_media":1903925,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[542],"tags":[17721,7008,3850,22429,22613,6248,4853],"class_list":["post-1903924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-oann","tag-avoiding","tag-ban","tag-ceo","tag-chew","tag-shou","tag-tiktok","tag-trial"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1903924","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1866"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1903924"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1903924\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1903925"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1903924"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1903924"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1903924"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}