TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew to Face Grilling from US Lawmakers in High-Stakes Testimony on Data Privacy and Security

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to face a grilling from US lawmakers this Thursday in his first sworn testimony before Congress. The hearing will focus on data privacy and security, with critics of the app arguing it is a national security threat due to its ability to collect data on its users.

In preparation for the hearing, Chew has been taking part in near-daily, multi-hour prep sessions in Washington, D.C. with TikTok personnel. During the sessions, Chew has been drilled with practice queries and scenarios to ready him for hours of interrogation.

The hearing comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of the app, with the Biden administration reportedly considering a ban of TikTok in the US if the app’s Chinese owners refuse to sell their stakes.

Security experts, however, argue that TikTok is no more a security threat than the many other apps that collect data and point to the lack of any broad U.S. data privacy regulations.

To further prepare for the hearing, TikTok has organized a gathering of creators in D.C. to show their support for the app. The gathering will take place one day before Chew’s testimony.

The hearing is expected to be a high-stakes event, with Chew’s performance likely to have a major impact on the future of the app in the US.