TikTok's Response to Concerns about Censorship and Data Protection

Over the past few weeks, there has been a lot of discussion about TikTok and concerns about censorship and data protection. TikTok acknowledges the importance of these issues and appreciates the attention they are receiving from Members of Congress and the public.

At TikTok, we take these concerns seriously. We are committed to being transparent and accountable in how we support our users in the US and around the world. In response to recent claims, we want to address some specific issues.

Data Privacy and Security

Firstly, let's talk about data privacy and security. We store all TikTok user data from the US in the United States, with backup redundancy in Singapore. Our data centers are located outside of China, and none of our data is subject to Chinese law. We have a dedicated technical team that focuses on robust cybersecurity policies and practices to protect user privacy and security.

Content Concerns

Secondly, regarding content concerns, we want to make it clear that TikTok does not remove content based on sensitivities related to China. We have never been asked by the Chinese government to remove any content, and we would not comply if asked. Our moderation team in the US, based in California, reviews content to ensure it adheres to our US policies, just like other US companies in our industry. We are not influenced by any foreign government, including the Chinese government. It's important to note that TikTok does not operate in China and has no plans to do so in the future.

Commitment to Safety and Creativity

We are committed to providing a safe and creative app experience for our community. We strive to be a leader in this important and complex area. As part of our efforts, we have announced plans to form a committee of outside experts to ensure that TikTok is well-prepared to serve our users and community effectively and responsibly.

We welcome ongoing discussions on these and other issues to demonstrate our dedication to providing a trusted platform for entertainment and creativity.