Last month, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew appeared before Congress amidst concerns regarding the app’s links to the Chinese Communist Party and potential U.S. data security threats. This follows a decision by Gov. Greg Abbott to ban the usage of TikTok on state-issued devices and UT-Austin’s prohibition of the app on university Wi-Fi.
During the testimony, Chew refuted allegations that TikTok shares user data with the Chinese government and introduced “”Project Texas,”” a safeguarding initiative. Project Texas is a $1.5 billion collaboration with Oracle aimed at securing American users’ data by storing it domestically within Oracle’s cloud system.
Chew asserted that TikTok represents no data security risk, mentioning that the app operates as an American entity under American supervision. He confirmed that U.S. user data has been stored in the country since last year and was removed from non-Oracle servers as of March, with a complete deletion expected by year’s end.
Despite TikTok being owned by ByteDance, a Chinese firm, Chew insisted that they have never been compelled to submit data to the Chinese authorities and do not have access to Americans’ personal information.
Lawmakers from both parties remained unconvinced and expressed disapproval towards Project Texas and TikTok’s operations in the U.S. Representative August Pfluger specifically criticized the partnership name, suggesting it does not resonate with Texan values of freedom and transparency.”
