Chinese-owned TikTok reportedly paid for the transportation of popular influencers on its platform to appear in Washington as the company’s CEO appeared before congress.
UNITED STATES – MARCH 23: TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is seen during a break in the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing titled TikTok: How Congress Can Safeguard American Data Privacy And Protect Children From Online Harms, in Rayburn Building on Thursday, March 23, 2023.
The troubled Chinese tech giant paid for dozens of influencers, who collectively have an audience of about 60 million followers, to travel to Washington, including covering their meals, hotel bill, and travel costs. As they interacted with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, the influencers were urged to share their journey with their followers.
According to Jamal Brown, a spokesperson for TikTok, the company wanted to draw attention to the potential effects of a U.S. ban on the platform on Americans who allegedly depend on it for their livelihoods. Brown stated, “More than 150 million Americans, including 5 million U.S. businesses, rely on TikTok to innovate, find community, and support their livelihoods.
While some influencers claimed to have paid for their airfare, most used TikTok’s free hotel offer. On the app, influencer Alexandra Doten goes by the handle @astro_alexandra. She shared her experience: “I got the hotel too! I don’t know. They just shuttle me there.” The company’s initiative aimed to allow these influencers to meet with legislators and discuss the possible repercussions of a social media platform ban. Jorge Alverez, a mental health advocate from New Jersey, said, “They took us here, but we’re not being paid. TikTok paid for transportation—that’s also public information.”
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