WE’RE HERE TO STAY
The state is trying to exercise national security power that only the federal government can wield and is violating free speech rights in the process, both suits filed against Montana argue.
“They care because TikTok is very important to them,” Chew said, referring to the users who filed suit.
He insisted that TikTok had taken steps to protect US users’ data by storing it “on American soil by an American company and overseen by American personnel”.
“We believe that we have taken steps that are above and beyond what our industry has done to protect the safety of the US individual,” he said.
In March, Chew faced a grilling in Congress from combative US lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle over TikTok’s alleged ties to China and its danger to teenagers.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to show up and to tell all sides of the story. Throughout the five hours, I believe I had time to do that,” he told the forum.
With more than one billion active users including about 150 million in the US, TikTok pulled in US$11 billion in advertising revenue last year.
TikTok’s editing features and AI-powered algorithm have kept it ahead of the game, attracting an army of creators and influencers. But it is frequently accused of spreading disinformation.
Among its difficulties around the world, the US federal government and European Commission have banned staff from using TikTok. Britain has stopped its lawmakers from using it.
Last month, Australia joined the list of countries banning the app from government devices, and Britain’s data regulator levied a £12.7 million (US$15.9 million) fine for allowing up to 1.4 million children under 13 to use the platform, in violation of its own rules.
However, Chew said TikTok could also have a “positive impact”, citing the example of a user with autism who has “found his voice through music” that he shares on the app.
“That gives me a lot of confidence that we can have very thoughtful conversations with regulators around the world,” said Chew.
“And I’m confident that we are here to stay.”
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