US House Republicans press TikTok on use of kids' data, ties to Beijing
- Representatives Greg Walden and Cathy McMorris Rodgers wrote a letter to TikTok founder Zhang Yiming on Thursday
- They asked about the app’s use of childrens’ data and ties to the Chinese government
Representatives Greg Walden, the top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the ranking member of a consumer subcommittee, asked what information was collected about American users, what data is shared with the Chinese Communist Party or other state-owned entities and whether information on Americans is stored in China.
“TikTok’s seemingly close ties to the Chinese government raise serious concerns about your data practices, including what information your company collects on Americans and what you do with it,” they wrote.
TikTok owner’s value said to surpass US$100 billion in private markets
“While we think the concerns are unfounded, we appreciate them and continue to further strengthen our safeguards while increasing our dialogue with lawmakers,” a spokesperson for TikTok said in an email. “We’ve received the letter and will respond as we look forward to bringing greater clarity to our policies, practices and operations.”
The lawmakers also asked TikTok to respond to questions regarding how children’s data is treated and if illegally collected data was destroyed, as required under an agreement with the Federal Trade Commission.
