TikTok Breaks Commitment to Publicly Answer Questions on its Algorithm’s Ties to China

Chairman John Moolenaar of the Select Committee on China made the following statement after TikTok reneged on its commitment to participate in a public roundtable with the Select Committee in September:

"TikTok has backed out of its commitment to appear at the Committee’s September roundtable to answer questions on China’s influence over TikTok’s algorithm and its access to Americans’ data. Over the last five months, the Committee has negotiated in good faith with TikTok and the company agreed to have its Chief Security Officer appear at a bipartisan, Committee roundtable in September. Now, TikTok is refusing to appear citing its own desire to avoid broader scrutiny of its child safety practices. We will continue to work in good faith to protect the American people and ensure TikTok executives publicly address the Committee’s questions regarding its operations and safeguards – consistent with the requirements of the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act – before the end of the year.”