TikTok says half of Americans use site as ban threat looms

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said March 21, 2023 that US user numbers had soared to 150 million – almost half the total population – as he prepared to fight at US Congress for the Chinese owned site's future. — Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP

WASHINGTON: TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said Tuesday that US user numbers had soared to 150 million – almost half the total population – as he prepared to fight at US Congress for the Chinese owned site's future.

Chew will give testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Committee Thursday where he is set to face a barrage of questions over allegations by both Republicans and Democrats that the app is beholden to the Communist Party in Beijing.