TikTok admits to saving American data in China

TikTok says "some content creator data" is stored in China instead of servers in the US.

In a letter to US senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal on June 23, TikTok said "only some" of the content creator's information on the platform is stored outside the US, including China. This contradicts the platform's previous claims, that all American data is stored on servers located in the US.

TikTok logo displayed on a smartphone. Photo: Reuters

TikTok defines creators as "users with a commercial relationship" with the company, such as influencers who specialize in creating paid videos. ByteDance's platform says the stored information includes contracts and "relevant documents," but did not elaborate.

Meanwhile, Forbes cites an internal source that the data of American creators stored in China has a lot of important information. In addition to basic personal information, there are also tax forms and social security numbers.

Before the suspicion that TikTok could send US user data to the Chinese government, the company representative denied: "TikTok has never been asked by the Chinese government to provide this data. TikTok has never done so. ".

According to Congressmen Blackburn and Blumenthal, TikTok's response clearly shows that American data is still present in China, despite previous claims. Both stressed the issue was "deeply disturbing".

TikTok currently has more than 150 million users in the US. However, the platform is facing growing calls from lawmakers and officials to ban the app nationwide due to concerns about user data control as well as the power of the media. malicious bad news of the TikTok algorithm. In March, TikTok CEO Shou Chew also testified before the US Congress with a series of questions from both parties.

In mid-May, Montana became the first state in the US to announce a complete ban on TikTok, which is expected to take effect from January 1, 2024. State officials said they could impose a $10,000 fine for each violation and an additional $10,000 a day if the offense is repeated. However, Montana's ban is considered to face many legal challenges related to users' freedom of speech and may be reversed.

Bao Lam (according to Telegraph )

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