TikTok CEO questioned on China concerns at landmark hearing | First Thing

Shou Zi Chew attempts to play down concerns over data and privacy as lawmakers call for ban on Chinese-owned app. Plus, majority of trans adults are happier after transitioning

Good morning.

The chief executive of TikTok, Shou Zi Chew, was forced to defend his company's relationship with China, as well as the protections for its youngest users, at a testy congressional hearing on Thursday that came amid a bipartisan push to ban the app entirely in the US over national security concerns.

What are the key takeaways from TikTok hearing in Congress? Chew defended TikTok's privacy practices, stating they are are in line with those of other social media platforms, adding that in many cases the app collects less data than its peers. There are more than 150 million Americans who love our platform, and we know we have a responsibility to protect them," Chew said. Here are some of the other key criticisms Chew faced at yesterday's landmark hearing, and what could lie ahead.

Did the strikes kill anyone? Yes. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported: US strikes targeted a weapons depots inside Deir ez-Zor city, killing six pro-Iran fighters, and two other fighters were killed by strikes targeting the desert of Mayadine and near al-Boukamal."