Amazon Faces Scrutiny from House Committee Over Controversial TikTok Partnership

Amazon is under fire from a House committee over a recent partnership with TikTok, which lawmakers argue could pose privacy and security risks to U.S. consumers. The deal, aimed at expanding Amazon’s reach through TikTok’s platform, has raised concerns among government officials due to the popular app’s ties to China. Lawmakers fear that the partnership could expose consumer data to foreign surveillance, despite assurances from both companies that they have taken steps to protect user information.

In a letter to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, members of the committee questioned the specifics of the arrangement, pressing for transparency on data-sharing practices and safeguards in place to protect American users’ privacy. “We need clarity on how Amazon plans to prevent any misuse of personal data in this partnership,” stated a committee member.

Amazon defended the collaboration, stating that the deal aligns with its goal to innovate and reach new customer demographics. A spokesperson reiterated that the company is committed to high privacy standards and will work closely with regulatory bodies to address any concerns.

As scrutiny intensifies, the House committee plans to examine the potential security implications of U.S. companies partnering with firms linked to foreign interests. This inquiry comes as tech companies face increasing pressure from lawmakers to prioritize national security in their business ventures.