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Guthrie Questions TikTok CEO on Illicit Drug Trafficking Content on TikTok in E&C Hearing
Washington,
March 23, 2023
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S.K. Bowen
(202-225-3501)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, questioned TikTok CEO Shou Chew on illicit drug trafficking content on TikTok and an apparent threat to House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers on TikTok.
Rep. Guthrie questioning TikTok CEO Chew during E&C hearing Rep. Guthrie asking about the difference in amplification and availability of content related to illicit drugs and illicit activities on TikTok and TikTok’s sister company in China, Douyin… "If you can prevent it on one and not the other, you obviously have the ability to stop it from moving forward, and yet you don't," said Guthrie. Click HERE to watch the video. Rep. Guthrie asking if Douyin would allow a threat against a member of the Chinese Communist Party to stand on their site for 41 days… (Rep. Guthrie is referring to a TikTok brought up in the hearing appearing to threaten Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers.) Click HERE to watch the video. Rep. Guthrie asking how TikTok’s terms of service states depiction, promotion, or trade of drugs or other controlled substances is not allowed but this content is pervasive and racks up hundreds of thousands of views on TikTok… “Despite this content being against your terms of service - and I’ve brought this up with other service providers- but despite this content being against your terms of service, content on your platform related to illicit drugs, like fentanyl, drug trafficking, and other illicit activity is pervasive and racks up hundreds of thousands of views. For example, in 2020, the Benadryl Challenge resulted in the death of an American teenager,” said Guthrie. Click HERE to watch the video. Rep. Guthrie asking how many posts and accounts have been identified and removed from TikTok due to content posted related to illicit drugs and other controlled substances… “When we have these hearings, we have CEOs of different companies – your colleagues and competitors. We always hear apologies. We always hear we want to do better at this. It doesn’t seem to keep improving,” said Guthrie. Click HERE to watch the video. Rep. Guthrie asking if TikTok works with other platforms to ensure flagged user content on illicit drugs is not permitted to jump from one platform to others… Click HERE to watch the video. Background on Rep. Guthrie’s work on TikTok and efforts to combat illicit drugs and prevent overdose deaths:
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