TikTok is now under investigation again, conducted by US senators, because of their recent hiring of Chinese ByteDance executives to join the short-video app's operations. These high-level executives recently joined TikTok, something which the US lawmakers took notice of and penned a letter to the platform's CEO Shou Zi Chew, questioning their independence from China.
Security is still on high alert for TikTok's operations in the US, and this recent hiring spree of high-level executives is kickstarting a new speculation of ByteDance's hold on the platform.
TikTok Under Investigation by the US Senate for Chinese Hires
(Photo : OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)
One of the main reasons for TikTok to continue its operations in the US is its change of operations, free of China's hold over it, but it was not the case as another investigation by the US Senate is underway. This is because of the increasing number of high-level Chinese executives hired by TikTok, coming from its parent company, ByteDance.
Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal addressed the recent issue to the TikTok CEO via a letter, demanding an explanation and various details about the security protocol it imposed on transferring executives from China's ByteDance.
It was regarded in the letter that these recent Chinese hires "give the impression" that TikTok is "attempting to preserve ByteDance's influence" over the company.
Chinese ByteDance Execs: Questioning TikTok's Independence
The new Senate investigation is questioning TikTok's independence from ByteDance and China, especially as these recent hires came from the parent company and raised alerts regarding US data security. Still, while the TikTok ban legislation is stalled in Congress, lawmakers are looking to pass this, with Senator Josh Hawley claiming that TikTok hired lobbyists to stop this.
TikTok Probe: Chinese Influence on the Platform
For several years now, TikTok has been safe from the probe regarding its Chinese ties, and previously, it was granted another chance to operate in North America as it was under Oracle. Both companies promised that they would keep US data secure, especially amidst speculations and fears of Chinese spying among the public, becoming a national security concern.
Early this year, the proposition to ban TikTok was still running high, with US Senators Mark Warner and John Thune pushing for Bipartisan legislation to address this issue.
In a lawsuit in May, ByteDance was yet again caught up in another controversy where an ex-employee spilled information against the Chinese company, allegedly claiming its data theft and bots in the United States.
TikTok remains on shaky ground in its operations in the United States, with the platform still dividing the nation for its stay in the country or a ban that would prevent its availability. Another probe against TikTok is here, with US senators questioning the platform's independence from China, especially with its hiring spree of Chinese ByteDance executives to the company.
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