Video collages and thirsty comments dedicated to TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew have started popping up on the CEO’s next platform testimony to Congress Yesterday when he spent five hours defending the platform before the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
On TikTok, a fan compilation dedicated to the 40-year-old declares him “TikTok Dad” and “the greatest CEO of our generation.”
Chew was answering questions from lawmakers about the future of the popular video-sharing app, which currently has over 150 million monthly users in the US alone.
Both Democratic and Republican politicians have expressed concerns about the app’s China-based parent company and what that means for user safety, data privacy, and national security. the legislators of called We want the platform to be banned in the US over concerns that parent company ByteDance may or may share US user data with the Chinese government. In his testimony, Chew said there was no evidence that the Chinese government had access to user data.
“Let me make this clear: ByteDance is not an agent for China or any other country. written statement That started his testimony.
There are currently three bills before Congress that could affect access to TikTok in the United States. Two legislate outright bans on platforms, and the other gives governments the power to ban technologies deemed to be national security risks.
At a hearing yesterday, TikTok’s CEO argued that banning the app would be harmful to millions of American businesses, and that the new subsidiary would Project Texas We provide a meaningful solution that allows your app to remain active in the United States.
Legislators seemed unconvinced, but Chu’s defense of apps, including his praise for subcommunities within apps like “BookTok,” was a community for people to discuss reading recommendations. Yes, it seems to resonate with those who find inspiration on the platform.
Online, despite the tense nature of the hearing, a growing group of creators have been impressed with Chu’s performance, showing their admiration in the most organic way possible by making fan edits and memes. I’m here.
