After TikTok hearing, users declare their love for the platform – and the CEO
After TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew was questioned by the House’s Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday, users of the platform shared their support in the way they know best – through thirsty fan edits.
Several representatives raised complaints from their constituents lamenting TikTok’s negative influence, but Chew insisted that most users had positive experiences on the app. Users have made videos claiming this and criticizing lawmakers for their lack of technical knowledge and unfair interrogations.
Some have taken their love one step further by creating fan edits of the CEO, perhaps one of the highest forms of recognition among TikTok users. They paired the videos with captions praising her testimony.
“Can we talk about how hard he is working for us to stop the ban,” read the caption of a popular montage with 1.3 million views.
“If TikTok is bad, why is it good???” another user said in a video on Chew.
TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In a TikTok posted Friday morning, Chew thanked users for their support and reiterated the app’s commitment to protecting the 150 million Americans who use the platform. He doubled down on TikTok’s efforts to protect teens, store US data on US soil, maintain free speech on the platform and use third parties to provide transparency.
Chew faced skepticism from the committee as he tried to address members’ concerns about data privacy, child protection and TikTok’s connection to the Chinese Communist Party. Despite his efforts, committee members continually interrupted his answers and expressed their displeasure.
Under Chew’s post-hearing update, users continued to share their love for the app and their anger at the committee. The video had over 40,000 comments Friday morning, mostly positive.
“You were so amazing. I’m so disappointed in our government. You deserve better, we deserve better,” one person wrote.
“We’re sorry our Congress is embarrassing. We love you and TikTok,” said another.
“Love this app. Learned so many interesting and useful things and about other cultures,” one user commented.
Gen Z activists have previously said a ban on TikTok would be “a slap in the face” for young voters. A recent poll also revealed that Gen Z opposes a TikTok ban by a margin of 53% to 34%.
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