TikTok ban LIVE — App could be banned in US over fears China is using it as covert tool for spying | The Sun
TIKTOK is facing calls for an outright BAN across the US as the company's CEO testifies in Congress over fears the app is being used as a SPY tool.
Pressure is building on the popular video-sharing app, owned by Chinese firm Bytedance, to obtain new ownership or lose access to the enormous US market amid fears it could be used as a spying tool.
In a gruelling five-hour hearing with US lawmakers Thursday, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew faced relentless questioning from combative US lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle over the app's ties to China and its danger to teens.
Chew also told Congress that he believes all social media apps should be banned from Government devices, saying: “I think the government devices should have no social media apps to be honest, not just targeted at us."
It comes after lawmakers in the UK voted to ban TikTok devices in Westminster amid major fears it could be used by the Chinese government to spy on Britain.
Read our TikTok ban live blog below for the latest updates…
- Joseph Gamp
TikTok says UK government ban is misguided
A spokesperson for TikTok said: "We believe this action is misguided and based on fundamental misconceptions about our company.
"TikTok is enjoyed by millions of people in the UK, and potentially depriving users from access to and engagement with their representatives is a self-defeating step, especially in our shared fight against misinformation.
"We are disappointed that, despite our requests, we have not been offered any opportunity to address concerns and only ask to be judged on facts and treated equally to our competitors."
- Joseph Gamp
TikTok has amassed more than 1bn users worldwide
TikTok, owned by Chinese technology giant ByteDance, has amassed more than 1billion users worldwide since it launched six years ago.
A string of countries have banned the app on sensitive devices, including the EU and the US, over concerns about the amount of data that they are getting about top officials.
- Joseph Gamp
How have women reacted to the phrase?
Naturally, the phrase high-value woman has caused some uproar, specifically with many women.
One netizen commented: "This is the most 1950s sh*t I've ever seen."
However, other women favor the profile, deeming themselves dating coaches for women who want to be considered high value.
They claim it is less about caring what men want and more about being your authentic (but best) self to attract the perfect man.
In other words, it's basically reverse psychology.
- Joseph Gamp
What is a high value man?
The ultimate goal for these high value women is to land themselves a high value man.
According to TikTok, a high value man does the following:
- He goes to the gym and has a nice body
- He is spiritual
- He is the breadwinner of the household
- He is always faithful
- He has sex with his wife to have children
- He is the head of the household
- He is generous in gifts to his wife
What is a high value woman on TikTok?
A high value woman is defined on many different TikTok accounts, so the definition seems to vary.
Some of the most repeated factors that seem to play into whether someone is a high value woman are:
- She treats her body like a temple and always looks her best
- She dresses appropriately and modestly
- She comes across as educated and classy
- She is a boss when it comes to her business and her job, but she is willing to give it up if her husband wants her to stay at home with their children
- She is not needy and does not nag
- She has interests, hobbies, and friends outside of her relationship
- She is giving but doesn't expect monetary gifts from her man
- She is pure
TikTok banned on all UK Government devices
TIKTOK will be BANNED on Parliamentary devices in Westminster amid major fears it could be used by the Chinese government to spy on Britain.
Anyone with a phone or iPad provided by the Commons or Lords will now be blocked from accessing the popular app.
It comes as last week ministers were told TikTok would no longer be allowed on government phones.
In an email to staff, Parliamentary officials said: "Cyber security is a top priority for us all and we believe that this is a necessary step to ensure our parliamentary digital devices remain as secure as possible."
MPs, journalists and staff who work in the Commons won't be able to access TikTok on personal phones either if the device is connected to Parliament's Wi-Fi system.
Officials haven't tried to bring in a ban on personal devices.
Will the United States ban TikTok?
The United States may decide to ban TikTok if it doesn't agree to separate from its parent company, ByteDance.
On March 23, 2023, Chew testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee to talk about the company's privacy practices, the app's impact on children, and its relationship with China's government.
The night before his testimony, influencers, and small business owners gathered at the Capitol, protesting the potential ban.
Two days before, on March 21, Chew posted a minute-long video with the Capitol building as his background to the app.
He said he planned to tell Congress everything he and the app are doing to "protect Americans using the app."
Why is the CEO appearing before Congress?
Chew is currently appearing before Congress to attempt to dissuade the United States government away from its notions to ban the app for potentially sharing sensitive data with the Chinese government.
According to The New York Times: "The Singaporean-born executive will serve as a deflector for TikTok, taking the heat for the app while touting its popularity and how it serves as a platform for creators and small businesses.
Who is TikTok's CEO?
TikTok's latest CEO, Shou Zi Chew, has been with the company since early 2021.
He is Singaporean and still resides there with his wife and two children.
He is an alumnus of University College London, where he studied economics, and of Harvard, where he got his MBA.
- Joseph Gamp
Who owns TikTok?
TikTok is owned entirely by a private Chinese tech company called ByteDance.
ByteDance is headquartered in Beijing and was founded in 2012 by its former CEO, Zhang Yiming.
ByteDance created TikTok in 2017 after seeing great success with their Chinese short video app Douyin.
The company decided to go global in 2018 when it merged TikTok with the social app called Musical.ly.
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