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Your Friday Briefing: U.S. Lawmakers Blast TikTok’s C.E.O. Your Friday Briefing: U.S. Lawmakers Blast TikTok’s C.E.O.
(about 1 hour later)
TikTok has come to represent the growing divide between the U.S. and China over tech leadership and national security. The app, which has 150 million users in the U.S., has become a battleground in a technological cold war between the two countries, and yesterday U.S. lawmakers blasted Shou Chew, TikTok’s chief executive, for more than five hours.TikTok has come to represent the growing divide between the U.S. and China over tech leadership and national security. The app, which has 150 million users in the U.S., has become a battleground in a technological cold war between the two countries, and yesterday U.S. lawmakers blasted Shou Chew, TikTok’s chief executive, for more than five hours.
During the heated hearing, Democratic and Republican lawmakers were united in grilling Chew and accused TikTok of keeping ties to the Chinese government and harming teenage users’ mental health.During the heated hearing, Democratic and Republican lawmakers were united in grilling Chew and accused TikTok of keeping ties to the Chinese government and harming teenage users’ mental health.
Chew tried to downplay the app’s links to ByteDance, its Chinese owner. He told lawmakers about TikTok’s plan to store American users’ data on U.S. soil and said the app didn’t censor posts at China’s behest. But his testimony did not appear to calm lawmakers’ fears.Chew tried to downplay the app’s links to ByteDance, its Chinese owner. He told lawmakers about TikTok’s plan to store American users’ data on U.S. soil and said the app didn’t censor posts at China’s behest. But his testimony did not appear to calm lawmakers’ fears.
The risks: China’s authoritarian government has sweeping control over tech companies and their data. ByteDance employees have obtained American users’ private data and spied on journalists. But U.S. officials have not declassified any evidence demonstrating a current risk of TikTok’s handing data from users’ phones to the Chinese government.The risks: China’s authoritarian government has sweeping control over tech companies and their data. ByteDance employees have obtained American users’ private data and spied on journalists. But U.S. officials have not declassified any evidence demonstrating a current risk of TikTok’s handing data from users’ phones to the Chinese government.
What’s next: The threat of a ban looms if ByteDance refuses to sell the app. Yesterday, China said it would oppose U.S. efforts to force a sale. That limits President Biden’s options, but three bills targeting TikTok are making their way through Congress.What’s next: The threat of a ban looms if ByteDance refuses to sell the app. Yesterday, China said it would oppose U.S. efforts to force a sale. That limits President Biden’s options, but three bills targeting TikTok are making their way through Congress.
Analysis: “This hearing feels to me like a potential turning point in terms of the scrutiny that Chinese companies receive in the United States,” my colleague Ana Swanson wrote. “We’ve been hearing for years about a decoupling between the United States and China, but it’s really just begun.”Analysis: “This hearing feels to me like a potential turning point in terms of the scrutiny that Chinese companies receive in the United States,” my colleague Ana Swanson wrote. “We’ve been hearing for years about a decoupling between the United States and China, but it’s really just begun.”
The World Bank said in a new estimate that it would take at least $411 billion to rebuild the country over 10 years. The news came as E.U. leaders approved plans to give Ukraine a million artillery shells over the next 12 months to help Ukrainians defend themselves against an intensified Russian assault in the east.The World Bank said in a new estimate that it would take at least $411 billion to rebuild the country over 10 years. The news came as E.U. leaders approved plans to give Ukraine a million artillery shells over the next 12 months to help Ukrainians defend themselves against an intensified Russian assault in the east.
The World Bank figure is a substantial increase from its $349 billion estimate in September. Since then, Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure. It’s also a lowball: The cost of reconstruction will grow as fighting continues.The World Bank figure is a substantial increase from its $349 billion estimate in September. Since then, Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure. It’s also a lowball: The cost of reconstruction will grow as fighting continues.
As the war grinds on, Ukraine is going through shells faster than the West can produce or supply them. The E.U. will spend up to 2 billion euros, or $2.14 billion, to supply Ukraine with shells, replenish its own national stocks and ramp up Europe’s ammunition production.As the war grinds on, Ukraine is going through shells faster than the West can produce or supply them. The E.U. will spend up to 2 billion euros, or $2.14 billion, to supply Ukraine with shells, replenish its own national stocks and ramp up Europe’s ammunition production.
Other news about the war:Other news about the war:
Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, toured the Kherson region yesterday, a day after he visited Bakhmut.Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, toured the Kherson region yesterday, a day after he visited Bakhmut.
Spain’s prime minister will meet with President Xi Jinping in Beijing next week to discuss China’s framework for negotiating peace in Ukraine.Spain’s prime minister will meet with President Xi Jinping in Beijing next week to discuss China’s framework for negotiating peace in Ukraine.
Even as they have heard promises of modern, Western-made tanks, Ukrainian commanders have been told to hold the lines with the tanks they have.Even as they have heard promises of modern, Western-made tanks, Ukrainian commanders have been told to hold the lines with the tanks they have.
Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the main party opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was convicted of defamation and sentenced to two years in prison. The move was the latest blow to the beleaguered opposition party, and comes just a year before India’s elections.Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the main party opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was convicted of defamation and sentenced to two years in prison. The move was the latest blow to the beleaguered opposition party, and comes just a year before India’s elections.
A court in Gujarat, Modi’s home state, convicted Gandhi in connection with a 2019 speech in which he linked the prime minister’s family name to that of Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi, two fugitives who were accused of swindling millions of dollars. “How come all the thieves have Modi as the common name?” Gandhi said.A court in Gujarat, Modi’s home state, convicted Gandhi in connection with a 2019 speech in which he linked the prime minister’s family name to that of Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi, two fugitives who were accused of swindling millions of dollars. “How come all the thieves have Modi as the common name?” Gandhi said.
Gandhi was immediately granted 30 days’ bail. His party, the Indian National Congress, said he would appeal.Gandhi was immediately granted 30 days’ bail. His party, the Indian National Congress, said he would appeal.
Context: Critics have accused Modi of using the law to stymie political critics, including journalists, nonprofits and media companies. His government recently arrested another member of Ghandi’s party who mocked Modi and an opposition leader on corruption charges. Context: Critics have accused Modi of using the law to stymie political critics, including journalists, nonprofits and media companies. His government recently arrested another member of Gandhi’s party who mocked Modi and an opposition leader on corruption charges.
The top unions in France held the first big day of protests since President Emmanuel Macron increased the retirement age without a full vote in Parliament.The top unions in France held the first big day of protests since President Emmanuel Macron increased the retirement age without a full vote in Parliament.
Israel passed legislation that would make it more difficult to remove prime ministers from office. Many see it as a move to protect Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption.Israel passed legislation that would make it more difficult to remove prime ministers from office. Many see it as a move to protect Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption.
See how last month’s earthquake destroyed one of the oldest streets in Antakya, Turkey.See how last month’s earthquake destroyed one of the oldest streets in Antakya, Turkey.
An analysis of Ludwig van Beethoven’s hair sheds new light on his life — and hints at a dark family secret.An analysis of Ludwig van Beethoven’s hair sheds new light on his life — and hints at a dark family secret.
A pilot program in Ireland is giving 2,000 artists $350 a week with no strings attached, allowing them to concentrate on creative pursuits.A pilot program in Ireland is giving 2,000 artists $350 a week with no strings attached, allowing them to concentrate on creative pursuits.
Without Trevor Noah, “The Daily Show” has turned to a rotating cast of hosts. It’s working, our critic writes.Without Trevor Noah, “The Daily Show” has turned to a rotating cast of hosts. It’s working, our critic writes.
Japan needs cleaner ways of generating power. It’s thought to be sitting atop the third-largest geothermal resources in the world, but it converts just a tiny fraction of the cheap and clean energy source to electricity.Japan needs cleaner ways of generating power. It’s thought to be sitting atop the third-largest geothermal resources in the world, but it converts just a tiny fraction of the cheap and clean energy source to electricity.
For decades, new plants have been blocked by powerful local interests: the owners of hot spring resorts, who say the sites threaten a centuries-old tradition.For decades, new plants have been blocked by powerful local interests: the owners of hot spring resorts, who say the sites threaten a centuries-old tradition.
After three years of remote and hybrid events, the storied art fair is back at full strength and in person.After three years of remote and hybrid events, the storied art fair is back at full strength and in person.
The fair is part of Hong Kong’s continued effort to position itself as an international art hub. The city opened the contemporary art museum M+ in 2021 and the Palace Museum in 2022, promoting its prowess and significance on the global art scene.The fair is part of Hong Kong’s continued effort to position itself as an international art hub. The city opened the contemporary art museum M+ in 2021 and the Palace Museum in 2022, promoting its prowess and significance on the global art scene.
During the pandemic, its self-imposed isolation became an unexpected boon to its art scene, as new galleries — many focused on local artists — sprang up all over town. “We’re finally coming out of our long-term quarantine,” a dealer said. “It’s a huge relief.”During the pandemic, its self-imposed isolation became an unexpected boon to its art scene, as new galleries — many focused on local artists — sprang up all over town. “We’re finally coming out of our long-term quarantine,” a dealer said. “It’s a huge relief.”
Art Basel Hong Kong comes just months after the successful first edition of Frieze Seoul, which took place in September and attracted more than 70,000 visitors. The dual fairs are part of a “rising tide” across Asia, the chief executive of Art Basel said. “Frieze helped turn a lot of eyes to Asia,” he said. “All these things underline that Asia is a huge part of our business.”Art Basel Hong Kong comes just months after the successful first edition of Frieze Seoul, which took place in September and attracted more than 70,000 visitors. The dual fairs are part of a “rising tide” across Asia, the chief executive of Art Basel said. “Frieze helped turn a lot of eyes to Asia,” he said. “All these things underline that Asia is a huge part of our business.”
Details: Art Basel Hong Kong runs through tomorrow. If you’re visiting, here are some tips from Hong Kong locals on things to do, eat and see.)Details: Art Basel Hong Kong runs through tomorrow. If you’re visiting, here are some tips from Hong Kong locals on things to do, eat and see.)
These easy microwave-steamed eggs are reminiscent of Chinese zheng shui dan, Japanese chawanmushi and Korean gyeran jjim.These easy microwave-steamed eggs are reminiscent of Chinese zheng shui dan, Japanese chawanmushi and Korean gyeran jjim.
In “The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi” by Shannon Chakraborty, a former Indian Ocean pirate is pulled back to the seas.In “The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi” by Shannon Chakraborty, a former Indian Ocean pirate is pulled back to the seas.
Hong Sang-soo’s latest film, “Walk Up,” traces the relationships in a Seoul apartment building.Hong Sang-soo’s latest film, “Walk Up,” traces the relationships in a Seoul apartment building.
Disinfecting does little to limit the spread of Covid-19 and could expose you to chemicals that can be harmful over time.Disinfecting does little to limit the spread of Covid-19 and could expose you to chemicals that can be harmful over time.
Play the Mini Crossword, and here’s a clue: Witness (three letters).Play the Mini Crossword, and here’s a clue: Witness (three letters).
Here are the Wordle and the Spelling Bee.Here are the Wordle and the Spelling Bee.
You can find all our puzzles here.You can find all our puzzles here.
A programming note: I’ll be back in two weeks. You’ll be in good hands with my colleagues Mariah Kreutter and Daniel Slotnik. Have a lovely end of March, and see you in early April.A programming note: I’ll be back in two weeks. You’ll be in good hands with my colleagues Mariah Kreutter and Daniel Slotnik. Have a lovely end of March, and see you in early April.
That’s it for today’s briefing. I hope you have a lovely weekend. — AmeliaThat’s it for today’s briefing. I hope you have a lovely weekend. — Amelia
P.S. After three years, The Times is switching to C.D.C. Covid data, ending our daily Covid data collection.P.S. After three years, The Times is switching to C.D.C. Covid data, ending our daily Covid data collection.
On “The Daily,” our former film critic reflects on American cinema.On “The Daily,” our former film critic reflects on American cinema.
I’d love to know how we can better help you start your day! I’m at briefing@nytimes.com.I’d love to know how we can better help you start your day! I’m at briefing@nytimes.com.