TikTok's US future at stake as boss faces Congress showdown
TikTok's US future at stake as boss faces Congress showdown
The video-sharing app's chief executive will testify to US lawmakers in a much-anticipated grilling.
On Thursday, TikTok's CEO, Shou Zi Chew, will be opening a lion's mouth and placing his own head into it.
He's giving testimony in the US Congress for the first time, a scary thing to do.
And at stake is the future of the phenomenally popular video-sharing app in the US.
"I think that there is a real risk that if this hearing doesn't go well… that could have a massive impact on the future of TikTok," said Chris Stokel-Walker, author of TikTok Boom.
Mr Chew is likely to face a barrage of questions on TikTok's relationship with China, what data it collects, and what it does with it.
He'll also be quizzed on why several journalists were spied on by ByteDance employees - something TikTok has already admitted.
Mr Chew will say user data is safe - away from the reach of the Chinese government.
He knows politicians from all sides want to see the platform either sold - or outright banned in the US.