The Jolt: Mental health bill stalled over Burt Jones’ hospital fight
Atlanta,
March 24, 2023
TIKTOK FURY. Members of the U.S. House showed bipartisan fury toward the chief executive of Chinese-owned social media app TikTok, which has 150 million active users in the U.S. CEO Shou Zi Chew was grilled by members during a hearing that lasted roughly five hours Thursday. Two Georgia Republicans serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Like their colleagues, they detailed what they consider the problematic behavior TikTok embodies, from videos that encourage dangerous behavior to the potential abuse of user data. “I don’t speak for everyone, but there are those on this committee, including myself, who believe that the Chinese Communist Party is engaged in psychological warfare through TikTok to deliberately influence U.S. children,” U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Pooler, told Chew. Congressman Rick Allen, R-Augusta, mentioned videos exhibiting images of sex and drug use that were shown on the feed of an account registered to a 13-year-old. Chew said such content violates TikTok policy and the company works to weed out such “bad actors.” “I would say you’re not doing enough,” Allen responded. “I have 14 grandchildren.” There is bipartisan support in Congress for banning TikTok in the U.S. President Joe Biden said he supports a ban unless the Chinese owners sell the app. Biden has already directed federal agencies to remove TikTok from governmental devices. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a similar executive order that applies to devices owned by the state. The state House and Senate followed suit, passing legislation of their own earlier this session. *** |
