TikTok pulls out of congressional roundtable over child-safety concerns

TikTok announced it would not attend a public roundtable organized by the House Select Committee on China, reversing a prior commitment to have its chief security officer testify. Committee Chair John Moolenaar attributed the pull-out to TikTok’s desire to sidestep extensive questioning of its child-safety measures, a stance he linked to Meta’s recent settlement with state attorneys general. The company’s decision came a day after Meta’s deal and while lawsuits concerning child safety remain pending against TikTok, Meta and YouTube.

Moolenaar emphasized that the meeting was intended to address Chinese government access to data and algorithmic control, not child-safety topics. He said the committee will attempt to reschedule and continue pressing TikTok for answers before the end of the year, citing the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. The move underscores ongoing congressional scrutiny of foreign-linked apps despite earlier legislative delays.