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Faced with the possibility of banning the use of TikTok in the US, the social network's CEO, Shou Zi Chew, shared a speech in which he points out that the disappearance of TikTok would cause job losses and "take millions of dollars out of the funds." pockets of (content) creators and small businesses.
It is the middle of the election season in the United States, in November it is decided who will be the president of the United States for the next 4 years; The constant tension with other countries, such as China, to interfere in the electoral contest is critical, especially in the technological issue and, in the midst of all the chaos, there is the possibility that the Chinese social network TikTok will close operations in the American union.
In a brief speech to users, the CEO of the Chinese social network, Shou Zi Chew, thanked all those who use the platform for their support, however, he also warned that the possible closure of TikTok would cause job losses and "will take out millions." of dollars from the pockets of (content) creators and small businesses.
And this week, the United States House of Representatives approved by a bipartisan majority the "Protection of Applications Controlled by Foreign Adversaries Act," legislation that speaks for itself.
@tiktokResponse to TikTok Ban Bill? original sound – TikTok
?We have invested to keep your data secure and the entire platform free from external manipulations. We have committed that we will continue to do so. So, this legislation, if signed into law, will lead to a ban on TikTok in the United States, even the sponsors of the construction admit that this is their goal? Shou noted in a video broadcast on the platform he runs .
The tycoon was forceful in highlighting what will happen if TikTok is taken out of the game.
?This bill gives more power to a handful of other social media companies. It will also take billions of dollars out of the pockets of creators and small businesses. “Will it put more than 300,000 American jobs at risk and take away your TikTok?” he said.
Since its launch in 2016, the company of Chinese origin has managed to obtain a generous number of 170 million users in the United States, not insignificant with only 8 years in the North American market.
Globally, TikTok exceeds one billion monthly active users, positioning itself as one of the most important social networks in the world, only surpassed by Facebook (Meta), YouTube (Google), WhatsApp (Meta), and Instagram (Meta) .
?We know how important TikTok is to all of you. “It has given our 170 million users a platform to express themselves freely and has empowered more than 7 million companies in the United States,” said Shou, revealing the importance of the social network in the country of stars and stripes.
On January 31 of this year, Shou Zi Chew was summoned to a hearing in Washington DC on online safety for children, in the tense meeting the CEO of TikTok was attacked for his relationship with China.
On that occasion, Republican Senator Tom Cotton questioned Chew again and again about his connections with the Asian country and his nationality, the latter being the one who reiterated again and again that he was Singaporean and denied ties with Xi Jin Ping's government.
“You said today that you live in Singapore. What is your nationality?” Cotton asked.
“From Singapore,” Chew replied.
Cotton retorts and asks the TikTok CEO if he has any other nationality or passport. Chew claims not. “I served my nation militarily,” he continued.
“Have you ever applied for Chinese nationality?” Cotton insisted.
"Senator. I served my nation militarily for two and a half years in Singapore. So no, I haven't,” Chew replies again.
“His wife and children have American citizenship. Have you ever applied for American citizenship?” Cotton asks again.
“No, not yet,” Chew said.
Things did not stop there and moved into the political arena.
“Have you ever been a member of the Chinese Communist Party?” Cotton asked.
“Senator, no. “I’m Singaporean.”
“Have you ever been associated or affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party?” Cotton insisted.
“No, Senator. Again: I'm Singaporean,” Chew replied.
This harsh questioning of Chew generated a wave of criticism on social networks for the Senator from the state of Arkansas, whom many called racist.
ByteDance is the one that has TikTok in its power, the Chinese technology giant managed to position itself in recent years as one of the most valuable companies in the world, valued at approximately $225 billion, above Elon Musk's Space X and Open AI by Sam Altman.
It ventured into e-commerce and travel reservations, claims to have more than 150,000 employees in almost 120 cities around the world, and although it does not disclose its income and profits to the public, specialist estimates place it at the top. same level as the largest companies in the world, exceeding $110 billion in 2023. It should be noted that the company is legally domiciled in the Cayman Islands.
ByteDance could sell one of its stars, TikTok, and buyers around the world have raised their hands, including Americans. In the last few hours, it has been reported that the former US Secretary of the Treasury (during Donald Trump's administration), Steven Mnuchin, has announced that he will form a group of investors to buy TikTok.
The question here is, will the buyer be liked by the US?
What is clear is that Chew knows the value of the company he runs.
?Our platform is important to small business owners who rely on TikTok to make ends meet, to teachers who inspire millions of students to learn, and to everyone who discovers and finds joy on TikTok; "We will not stop fighting and advocating for you, we will continue to do everything possible, including the exercise of our legal rights, to protect this incredible platform that we have built with you," he explained in the broadcast video.
?We believe we can get through this together. I encourage you to continue sharing your stories, share them with your friends, share them with your family, share them with your Senators, protect your constitutional rights, make your voice heard?, he concluded.
The House assured that the use of TikTok in the US represents a threat to national security, which is why it voted to require the sale, obtaining. However, the fate of the legislation in the Senate is uncertain.
If approved by Senate lawmakers, President Joseph Biden assured that he will sign the measure.
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