TikTok boss meets European officials as scrutiny intensifies

By KELVIN CHAN
AP Business Writer

LONDON (AP) — TikTok’s CEO has met with European Union officials about strict new digital regulations in the 27-nation bloc as the Chinese-owned social media app faces growing scrutiny from Western authorities over data privacy, cybersecurity and misinformation. In meetings Tuesday in Brussels, Shou Zi Chew and four officials from the EU’s executive Commission discussed concerns ranging from child safety to investigations into user data flowing to China. TikTok is wildly popular with young people but its Chinese ownership has raised fears that Beijing could use it to scoop up user data or push pro-China narratives or misinformation. TikTok’s director of public policy and government relations tweeted that “online safety & building trust is our number one priority.”