TikTok CEO says company at 'pivotal' moment as some U.S. lawmakers seek ban

FILE PHOTO: The TikTok logo is pictured outside the company's U.S. head office in Culver City, California, U.S., September 15, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Blake

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said the Chinese-owned short video app company faces a pivotal moment as a growing number of U.S. lawmakers seek to ban the app over national security concerns.

Chew said in a video posted on TikTok early Tuesday the app now has more than 150 million active monthly U.S. users. "That's almost half the U.S. coming to TikTok," Chew said.

He will testify Thursday before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. "Some politicians have started talking about banning TikTok. Now this could take TikTok away from all 150 million of you."

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Andrew Heavens)