It’s always an interesting time to observe US/China relations but last week provided an unusual insight into just how bad the relationship between the world’s two greatest superpowers has deteriorated. Former British Ambassador Craig Murray sums up the hearings perfectly with this tweet:
I watched a large portion of the hearings last week and here were the 4 most important questions asked and the responses given by Shou Zi Chew:
#1: "TikTok is a weapon by the CCP to spy on you, manipulate what you see and exploit for future generations."
A: "There’s no evidence TikTok shares data with the CCP. Since I’ve been the CEO of TikTok, I’ve not had any discussions with any Chinese government officials."
#2: "We’re concerned about US national security."
A: "TikTok doesn’t sell to any data to data brokers. Now with Project Texas, it means American users' data is protected by a Firewall – stored on American soil by an American company, overseen by American personnel. "
#3: Your technology is literally leading to death. We must save our children from big tech companies like yours who continue to use & manipulate them for your own gain.
A: Safety & wellness for teens is a core priority for TikTok. We remove any harmful content when it’s detected
#4: Can you search for what happened in Tiananmen Square on TikTok?
A: Yes. TikTok remains a platform for free expression, and will not be manipulated by ANY government.
If anyone actually listened to the answers given, they would understand that TikTok has addressed EVERY SINGLE security concern mentioned by the United States and done everything in their power (including spending tens of millions of dollars lobbying in DC) to avoid the ban.
But congressmen and women had no interest in actually listening to the TikTok CEO. In fact, they showed up to the hearing with their minds already decided. In short, this hearing was a complete sham and exposed the darkest side of America. Just look at this ridiculous tweet from Arkansas senator Tom Cotton. I couldn’t stand for it and had to immediately call him out.
But this made me realize, this hearing is not about a national security threat. It’s about America banning a true competitor. You see 29 year old internet entrepreneur Zhang Yi Ming set out to revolutionize the way he find data on the internet. His genius idea would later become TikTok and revolutionize how all internet search engines functioned.
In my latest video, I discuss more details of TikTok’s beginnings and also highlight why the new generation of Chinese youth are poised to play a massive role in the future of not only China, but the entire global economy.
Watch today’s video and let me know what you think! I guarantee there are some facts that will surprise you and make you think differently about the world we live in.
The US government is weaponizing TikTok to suppress freedom of speech in America. Check out the S.686 Restrict Act that is being proposed right now...
Great video, Cyrus. Most informative. In fact, an eye opener. Or it should be. Apropos those hearings in the US, it brought home to me that old truism: there are none so blind as those who will not see. Nor deaf as those who will not hear. Thank you