China says it won't ask companies to hand over data

BEIJING: China insists on Friday that it does not ask companies to hand over data gathered overseas, as the Chinese-owned TikTok faces mounting calls for a ban in the United States.

Pressure is building on the hugely popular video-sharing app owned by Chinese firm Bytedance to gain new ownership or lose access to the enormous US market.

In a gruelling five-hour hearing with US lawmakers Thursday, TikTok CEO Chew Shou Zi faced relentless questioning from US lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle about the app's ties to China and its danger to teens, in a gruelling five-hour hearing with US lawmakers.

A Chinese law in 2017 that requires local firms to hand over personal data to the state if it is relevant to national security is at the crux of the fears over TikTok.

Beijing hasn't asked Chinese firms to hand over data gathered overseas, but Beijing insists that it's important to protecting data privacy. China will never and will not require companies or individuals to collect or provide data in a foreign country, in a way that violates local law foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular briefing.

She said that the US government hasn't provided any evidence that TikTok poses a threat to national security.