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A potential resolution appears to be on the horizon regarding the fate of TikTok in the United States, as former President Donald Trump indicated a possible deal with China in a recent post on Truth Social.
According to the post, a resolution has been reached “on a ‘certain’ company that young people in our Country very much wanted to save.” The Trump administration had previously set a deadline of September 17 for either the divestiture of TikTok’s U.S. operations or the complete shutdown of the popular social media application within the country. This ultimatum stemmed from ongoing concerns regarding national security and data privacy.
The crux of the issue lies in the potential for the Chinese government to access user data through ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company. This has fueled anxieties among U.S. lawmakers and security agencies, who view the app as a potential tool for espionage or influence operations. While TikTok has repeatedly denied sharing user data with the Chinese government and has taken steps to address these concerns, including storing U.S. user data on servers located within the United States, skepticism remains.
Trump also mentioned that he intends to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, hinting at high-level discussions to finalize the agreement. The specifics of the deal remain undisclosed, but it is likely to involve measures to ensure the security of U.S. user data and prevent potential Chinese government influence over the app’s content.
Last year, Congress took legislative action by passing a law that prohibits app store operators like Apple and Google from distributing TikTok in the U.S., citing its status as a “foreign adversary-controlled application.” Non-compliance would result in hefty fines for the companies involved. This legislative move underscores the seriousness with which the U.S. government views the potential risks associated with TikTok’s presence on American soil.
Throughout his presidency, Trump repeatedly voiced concerns about TikTok, stating in a past interview with CNBC that he considered the platform a national security threat. His administration explored various options, including a forced sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations to an American company. While initial discussions involved potential buyers such as Oracle and Walmart, a deal ultimately failed to materialize.
In January, Trump signed an executive order providing ByteDance with an additional 75 days to reach an agreement, followed by several extensions granted through subsequent executive orders. However, a conclusive resolution remained elusive. Trump also teased the possibility of revealing a group of “very wealthy people” ready to acquire the social media platform, but this reveal never occurred.
Previously, Trump had expressed openness to a potential acquisition of TikTok’s U.S. operations by figures like Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison or Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Other contenders, including artificial intelligence startup Perplexity and businessman Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty internet advocacy group, also submitted bids, though none ultimately succeeded.
The potential deal comes amid a broader geopolitical landscape of increasing technological competition and trade tensions between the United States and China. The resolution of the TikTok saga could signal a possible shift in approach, with both countries potentially seeking to find common ground on issues related to technology and data security.
Original article, Author: Tobias. If you wish to reprint this article, please indicate the source:https://aicnbc.com/9353.html
