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TikTok CEO Hits Out At Facebook 'Maligning Attacks'

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TikTok's new chief executive Kevin Mayer has made a statement pledging to make the platform's content moderation algorithms public, and slamming Facebook for 'maligning attacks'.

The Chinese-owned company has come under attack in recent weeks for allegedly sharing data with the Chinese government, with the White House considering banning it or supporting a US takeover of the app.

But in an effort to assuage these fears, Meyer says the company is 'responsible and committed' and follows US laws.

"We believe our entire industry should be held to an exceptionally high standard. That's why we believe all companies should disclose their algorithms, moderation policies, and data flows to regulators," he writes.

"We will not wait for regulation to come, but instead TikTok has taken the first step by launching a Transparency and Accountability Center for moderation and data practices. Experts can observe our moderation policies in real-time, as well as examine the actual code that drives our algorithms."

Mayer also takes the opportunity to lambast Facebook for what he sees as underhand tactics.

"At TikTok we welcome competition. We think fair competition makes all of us better. To those who wish to launch competitive products, we say bring it on. Facebook is even launching another copycat product, Reels (tied to Instagram), after their other copycat Lasso failed quickly," he says.

"But let's focus our energies on fair and open competition in service of our consumers, rather than maligning attacks by our competitor – namely Facebook – disguised as patriotism and designed to put an end to our very presence in the US."

What Mayer's referring to is a series of prepared remarks from Mark Zuckerberg published ahead of today's House Judiciary subcommittee examination of antitrust issues in the tech industry.

"We believe in values — democracy, competition, inclusion and free expression — that the American economy was built on," Zuckerberg wrote.

"Many other tech companies share these values, but there’s no guarantee our values will win out. For example, China is building its own version of the internet focused on very different ideas, and they are exporting their vision to other countries."

Mayer says he will 'take all necessary steps to ensure the long-term availability and success of TikTok'. And, according to Reuters, parent company ByteDance is considering a $50 billion deal with some of its investors that would give them a majority stake in the app. It is also believed to be looking at creating a new holding company for TikTok in the US.

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