US Senator Questions TikTok's Policy Of Still Allowing Content From The Russian Government To Flood Its App

JAKARTA - US Republican Senators on Friday, June 17 asked TikTok's Chief Executive, Shou Zi Chew, about reports that the social media site had allowed Russian government-sanctioned media content but banned other war videos.

"Recent reports suggest TikTok ... has allowed Russian state media to flood the platform with harmful pro-war propaganda. No company should be in a position to amplify the Kremlin's lies, fueling public support for Russia's war options in Ukraine," the letter said, as quoted by Reuters.

The senators were led by Steve Daines and signed by John Cornyn, Roger Wicker, John Barrasso, James Lankford, and Cynthia Lummis.

The senators wrote that they are "deeply concerned" that TikTok is currently enabling the dissemination of pro-war propaganda to the Russian public, risking an already devastating human toll for both Ukraine and Russia.

The Russian Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter. Meanwhile, TikTok said in a statement to Reuters that the company hopes to continue to engage with its members on this matter and answer their questions.

Reuters reported in March that the Chinese-owned video app said it would suspend live streaming and uploading of videos to its Russian platform as it reviews the implications of a new media law signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

While US senators themselves said TikTok had failed "to co-enforce this policy" and quoted news reports as saying "it appears TikTok is too late to close this loophole on March 25."

The letter added that "the pro-regime content that is misleading and flooding the TikTok service has not been removed, thus creating an easily accessible pro-war propaganda archive and prompting TikTok to answer a series of their questions.

TikTok, which is owned by Beijing-based internet technology company ByteDance, has come under intense scrutiny by the US government over the personal data it handles. At a US Congressional hearing last October, the company faced tough questions from US lawmakers.

Senator Marsha Blackburn, a Republican panel member, said she was concerned about TikTok's collection of data, including user audio and location, and the potential for the Chinese government to gain access to that information. Blackburn questioned TikTok about whether the company could refuse to provide data to the Chinese government if material was requested.

TikTok is one of the most popular social media apps in the world, with more than 1 billion active users worldwide.