Project Texas strained TikTok's resources and caused bureaucracy by Jing Yang

As I mentioned earlier, any changes made to the app in the US, if you want to roll out any new product features, have to be approved by staff within US Data Security (USDS). This requirement makes the process very time-consuming. Another issue is that the entirety of Project Texas never really got the stamp of approval from the CIA. In a way, TikTok internally regards Project Texas as "we want to do this, but we don't know if it's going to work." This uncertainty raises the question of whether to continue throwing funding into the project.

In this environment, US Data Security has been perceived as a dead end or a bottleneck. For example, if your job is transferred to USDS, it might seem like your career is not really progressing. People don't want to work there, which has created additional problems.

This situation is interesting because Shou Chew came in as the CEO and also took over US negotiations. It raises questions on how he managed these negotiations, especially with all the above-mentioned bureaucratic challenges.

Keywords

US Data Security (USDS)
Project Texas
TikTok
CIA Approval
Shou Chew
Bureaucracy
Career Progression

FAQ

Q: What is the main issue with rolling out new product features in the US?
A: Any changes made to the app in the US need to be approved by staff within US Data Security (USDS), making the process very time-consuming.

Q: What is Project Texas and why has it become problematic?
A: Project Texas aims to address certain data security concerns, but it never received full approval from the CIA. This uncertainty about its viability has led to questions about continued funding.

Q: How is US Data Security (USDS) perceived internally within TikTok?
A: USDS is seen as a dead end or bottleneck. Being transferred to USDS might be viewed as a career limitation, which has made it an unpopular department to work in.

Q: Who is Shou Chew and what role did he play in this scenario?
A: Shou Chew is the CEO who took over US negotiations amidst the bureaucratic challenges posed by Project Texas and USDS.