TikTok Plans to Oust Executive Handling US National Security Issues
TikTok's US-based general counsel, Erich Andersen, is set to leave his position amid ongoing concerns about the social media platform's ties to China and user data security. Andersen had been at the forefront of efforts to assure the US government that TikTok, and its parent company ByteDance Ltd., had taken sufficient steps to prevent China from accessing American users' data or influencing content on the platform. Despite these efforts, an interagency government panel was not convinced, leading to legislative actions.
The US House of Representatives recently passed a bill that could mandate TikTok be sold by its Chinese owner or face a ban in the United States. This legislation is pending in the Senate and, if passed, would require President Joe Biden's signature to become law. The bill stipulates that the divestiture of TikTok must occur within a year to address national security concerns.
While TikTok has planned for Andersen's departure, a spokesperson for the company refuted claims that Andersen was dismissed for providing misleading information to US officials regarding user data and content influence, calling such allegations "100 percent false." The development comes as China's Ministry of Commerce voiced intentions to take retaliatory measures in response to the potential US ban on TikTok, indicating a complex international dynamic.
