TikTok CEO Shou Chew grilled by US lawmakers regarding China connections

TikTok CEO Shou Chew found himself under scrutiny as lawmakers probed into the platform’s ties with China, particularly its parent company ByteDance, and the extent of access granted to the Chinese government, CNN reported.

During the hearing, Arkansas Republican Sen Tom Cotton questioned Chew about his appointment as CEO coinciding with the Chinese Communist Party’s acquisition of a 1 per cent stake in ByteDance’s main Chinese subsidiary.

Chew dismissed any connection, stating, “It’s a coincidence.” Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley also pressed Chew on TikTok’s links to China and its communist party.