Many American elected officials, Republicans and Democrats, believe that the popular video platform, owned by the Chinese group Bytedance, allows Beijing to access confidential user data.
They have introduced several bills in recent weeks to ban the app, which has more than 150 million users in the United States.
Several TikTok influencers took to the US capital this week to vehemently oppose the ban.
“We are in Washington, you see the Capitol right there”, launches the tiktoker @countrylather2020, in a video with the hashtag #keeptiktok (#gardeztiktok).
“We hope to speak to a few senators,” says the one whose account specializes in soap making.
“Hey everyone, I’m just outside of Lindsey Graham’s office in the US Senate,” greeting card designer @sparksofjoyco says in another video regarding the influential Republican elected official.
“I will be in contact with them to make them understand the impact that TikTok has on my life and on my business and all the concerns that you have shared in the comments”, she promises to her more than 90,000 subscribers.
The boss of the application, Shou Chew, will be heard by American elected officials on Thursday.
© 2023 AFP
