Last Update: May 03, 2023, 05:52 AM IST
The US is concerned about Chinese-owned TikTok and lawmakers from both parties are considering efforts to curtail its reach or ban the popular short video sharing app (Image: Reuters)
The news comes at a time when TikTok is facing calls from US lawmakers to ban the popular short-form video app
Popular video-sharing app TikTok on Tuesday said its head of US data protection trust and security Eric Han will leave the company amid growing calls to ban the Chinese app in the country.
US technology website The Verge first reported the development, citing an internal memo to employees.
The news comes at a time when US lawmakers face calls to ban the popular short-form video app from the country over concerns about TikTok’s Chinese ownership and the security of US user data.
According to The Verge, Eric Han, the US Data Protection Trust and head of security at TikTok, is set to leave the company on May 12, after holding the position since 2019.
According to the report, Han played a key role in policy decisions aimed at reducing the spread of dangerous challenges and paid political positions by influencers.
Andy Bonillo, TikTok’s interim general manager of US data protection, will temporarily fill the position until a permanent replacement is found.
Earlier in March, TikTok confirmed that federal authorities demanded that the app’s Chinese owner sell its stake in the social media platform or face a US ban.
CNN reported that last month, Montana lawmakers approved legislation to ban TikTok on personal devices, making it the first state to do so if the bill is signed by the governor.
TikTok CEO Shaw Chew testified before Congress in March and attempted to reassure lawmakers about the app’s security and US users’ data protections. Tik Tok did not give any reason for Han’s departure.
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