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Sen. Ted Cruz is not one to let up when questioning during any hearing. Tuesday’s Senate hearing focusing on online protection for kids specifically on Snap Chat, Youtube, and TikTok, was no exception.

The senator was questioning Michael Beckerman, VP and head of public policy at TikTok,  about the company’s connections to subsidiaries of a Chinese tech company.

The app’s privacy policies indicate that they may share data collected on users with any of their parent companies, subsidiaries, or other affiliates.

Cruz asked for specific clarification from Beckerman if Beijing Byte Dance Technology was an affiliate of TikTok. What should have been a one worded response, Beckerman beat around the bush relentlessly.

The simple “yes” or “no” question, quickly became complicated and Sen. Cruz was getting fed up with Beckerman’s non-compliance.

So you’re refusing to answer the question. That does not give this committee any confidence that TikTok is doing anything other than participating in Chinese propaganda and espionage on American children.

Beckerman attempted to turn his words around, but failed. Cruz continued…

If it were not accurate you would answer the question. You have dodged the questions more than any witness I have seen in my nine years serving in the Senate. That is saying something because witnesses often try and dodge questions. But you answer non-sequiturs and refuse to answer very simple questions. That, in my experience, when a witness does that, it is because they are hiding something.

The senator ended his questioning there.

Watch the whole exhausting exchange here:

 

https://omny.fm/shows/tony-katz-and-the-morning-news/sen-ted-cruz-goes-after-tik-tok-spokesperson