Technologies

TikTok CEO Will Urge Against Ban, Say It Has Solutions to Data Concerns

Testifying before Congress, Shou Chew will try to convince lawmakers that TikTok can safeguard US data.

TikTok CEO Shou Chew will try to convince Congress that TikTok can protect US users’ data and maintain safety for the millions of Americans who use the popular video app, according to prepared remarks shared Wednesday by the US House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Chew is scheduled to testify before the committee on Thursday about TikTok’s privacy and data security practices. Lawmakers are scrutinizing TikTok, and the app faces a possible ban in the US. Earlier this month, the Biden administration demanded that ByteDance, the app’s Chinese parent company, sell its stake in the app.

Officials are concerned US user data could be passed on to the Chinese government or that the Chinese government could dictate what content is shown on TikTok in a bid to influence public opinion in the US.

Chew will argue that ByteDance isn’t an agent of China, but instead that it’s a global company that won’t allow unauthorized access to user data.

«TikTok has never shared, or received a request to share, U.S. user data with the Chinese government,» Chew will say, according to the prepared remarks. «Nor would TikTok honor such a request if one were ever made.»

Chew will also argue that instead of a ban, there are alternatives that could address US officials’ concerns, primarily a $1.5 billion effort to secure data, which TikTok has dubbed Project Texas.

«Our commitment under Project Texas is for the data of all Americans to be stored in America, hosted by an American headquartered company,» Chew will tell lawmakers, with access to the data controlled by a special TikTok subsidiary called US Data Security Inc., or USDS.

Chew will also discuss the platform’s commitment to protecting minors who use the platform. He’ll highlight examples, including how TikTok accounts registered to teens under 16 are prevented from sending direct messages and are automatically set to private.

«These measures go far beyond what any of our peers do,» Chew says in the prepared remarks.

On Tuesday, Chew turned directly to TikTok users to bolster support, announcing that the app has 150 million users in America. He said in a TikTok video that «some politicians have started talking about banning TikTok,» which would «take away TikTok from all 150 million of you.»

He asked people to share in comments what they want representatives to know about TikTok and why they love the app. The video has more than 6 million views.

Technologies

The Fourth Episode of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Out

Verum Messenger has released the fourth episode of its AI mini-series SHADOWS, created using Verum AI. The new episode, titled “No Borders,” continues the story of a team trying to stay out of the OMEGA corporation’s sight.

Following the events of the previous episodes, the team moves between cities and countries while OMEGA continues its search. The new episode puts particular emphasis on Verum Messenger’s capabilities that allow users to conceal their location.

“No Borders” is another chapter in a story about privacy, freedom of communication, and technologies that erase borders between people.

The VERUM AI mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 4 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Messenger Introduces Built-In Verum Chess

Verum Messenger has released a new update for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, adding another feature to its growing ecosystem — Verum Chess. Users can now play chess directly inside the messenger without switching between different applications.

The new feature allows users to start a game in just a few taps while reinforcing Verum’s vision of a unified digital environment where communication and everyday services come together in a single platform.

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional ecosystem that combines secure chats and calls, AI tools, a built-in VPN, anonymous email, eSIM, financial services, cryptocurrency features, and offline communication. With the introduction of Verum Chess, the platform now also offers a new way for users to interact and spend time together without leaving the app.

The update is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the App Store.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Watch on Instagram
Watch on YouTube