TikTok launched a counter-offensive on Tuesday amid increasing Western pressure on cybersecurity and misinformation concerns by rolling out updated content policies and standards as its CEO warned of a possible US ban on the Chinese video-sharing app.
CEO Shou Zi Chew is attributable to appear before US congressmen on Thursday for questioning in regards to the company’s privacy and data security practices and its relationship with the Chinese government.
Chew said in a TikTok video that the hearing “comes at an important time” for the corporate, after lawmakers introduced measures that might extend the Biden administration’s powers to enact a US ban on the app, which the CEO said is utilized by greater than 150 million Americans.
“Some politicians have began talking about banning TikTok. Now that would take TikTok away from all 150 million of you,” said Chew, who was casually wearing jeans and a blue hoodie, with the Washington Capitol dome within the background.
“I will be testifying before Congress this week to share all the pieces we’re doing to guard Americans who use the app,” he said.
![TikTok logo](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/NYPICHPDPICT000008337791.jpg?w=1024)
The TikTok app has come under fire within the US, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, where a growing variety of governments have banned TikTok from devices used for official business over concerns it poses a threat to cybersecurity and data privacy, or might be used to push pro-Beijing narratives and disinformation.
Up to now, there is no such thing as a evidence to suggest that this has happened or that TikTok has handed over user data to the Chinese government as a few of its critics have claimed.
Norway and the Netherlands warned on Tuesday that apps like TikTok shouldn’t be installed on phones issued to government employees, citing security or intelligence agencies.
![AI-generated photo of Donald Trump in prison](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/NYPICHPDPICT000008624709-1.jpg?w=1024)
There’s a “high risk” if TikTok or Telegram are installed on devices which have access to “internal digital infrastructure or services”, the Norwegian justice ministry said without giving further details.
TikTok has also rolled out updated content and user policies and standards as a part of a revamped set of community guidelines that include eight principles to guide content moderation decisions.
“These policies are based on our commitment to human rights and are in keeping with the international legal framework,” said Julie de Bailliencourt, TikTok’s global head of product policy.
She said TikTok strives to be fair, protect human dignity, and balance free speech with harm prevention.
![US Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) speaks about banning TikTok](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/NYPICHPDPICT000007846204.jpg?w=1024)
The rules, which can go into effect on April 21, have been repackaged from TikTok’s existing policies with additional details and clarifications.
Among the many more notable changes are additional details on restrictions on deepfakes, also often known as synthetic media created by artificial intelligence technology. TikTok makes its policy clearer by saying that each one deep fake or manipulated content that shows realistic scenes should be flagged to point that it’s fake or altered ultimately.
TikTok previously banned deepfakes that mislead viewers about real events and cause damage. The updated guidelines say that deep fakes of people and young persons are also not allowed.
Deep fakes of public figures are acceptable in certain contexts, akin to for artistic or educational content, but not for political or industrial endorsements.