TikTok

President Trump extended ByteDance’s deadline to divest its U.S. TikTok operations to December 16th, marking the fourth extension. The deal, involving Oracle and Silver Lake, aims to address U.S. national security concerns. Treasury Secretary Bessent indicated a “framework deal” was reached, averting a potential TikTok ban. The proposed structure involves an investor consortium controlling 80% of TikTok’s U.S. business, possibly migrating users to a new application. Trump and Xi are scheduled to discuss the deal, emphasizing its high-level significance. Completion is anticipated within 30-45 days.

A framework agreement for TikTok, addressing data security concerns related to its Chinese parent company ByteDance, is nearing completion, potentially within 30-45 days. The restructuring will involve new investors alongside existing ByteDance stakeholders. Oracle’s cloud computing agreement with TikTok will remain intact, continuing its role in addressing U.S. security concerns through data management. Initial capital infusion is expected to be relatively small, focusing on restructuring rather than expansion, with no immediate plans for an IPO. The deal aims to alleviate national security and data privacy concerns.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated President Trump’s threat to ban TikTok significantly influenced reaching a framework agreement with China. Trump’s willingness to “let TikTok go dark” underscored the prioritization of national security. While ByteDance faces a September 17 deadline to divest its U.S. operations, negotiations stalled after new tariffs were imposed. The emerging TikTok deal, focused on curtailing potentially risky activities, may signal a turning point in strained U.S.-China relations, with discussions between Trump and Xi Jinping anticipated to finalize the agreement.

A potential resolution for TikTok in the U.S. is emerging, as former President Trump hinted at a possible deal with China. Concerns about national security and data privacy, specifically the potential for Chinese government access through ByteDance, fueled previous attempts to force a sale or shut down the app. Congress has even legislated against TikTok’s distribution. Trump intends to discuss the deal with President Xi Jinping. While specifics are undisclosed, it likely involves data security measures and content control to address U.S. concerns. This resolution may signal a shift in U.S.-China tech relations.

TikTok star Khaby Lame, known for his silent comedic reactions, is touring China as part of a cultural exchange initiative. He visited Beijing landmarks and explored Tianjin’s culinary scene, even attempting to make Jianbing Guozi. Lame’s visit aims to foster stronger ties between China and Africa by offering a fresh perspective to his global audience, connecting with locals and highlighting Chinese culture and innovation. With over 259 million followers across platforms, his trip demonstrates the power of relatable content and influencer marketing in China.

TikTok responded to complaints from Li Auto regarding negative online content targeting the EV maker and its customers. TikTok’s Douyin Blackboard announced it removed misleading and abusive content related to “Li Auto owners” and accounts exploiting the controversy, citing violations of community guidelines. This followed Li Auto CEO Li Xiang’s allegations of a coordinated smear campaign by a rival company, a recurring issue during new car launches, orchestrated by online influence agencies.

TikTok has launched its movie rating feature, allowing users to rate and review films directly on the platform. Early scores for movies like “Jiang Yuan Nong” and “Jurassic World: Rebirth” are surprisingly low. TikTok aims for broad accessibility, genuine feedback, and equitable application. The platform is committed to combating fraudulent score manipulation to ensure impartiality. This initiative seeks to provide diverse cinematic perspectives and disrupt traditional film review methods, offering moviegoers more informed viewing decisions.

Douyin is warning parents about a rise in scams targeting minors during the summer. Scammers lure young users with offers like free books or game accounts, then redirect them to external platforms. Tactics include impersonating law enforcement and using scare tactics to coerce fund transfers. Douyin recommends using “Teen Mode,” which disables features like messaging and live-streaming, to protect minors. Common scams involve impersonating police, falsely accusing minors of fraud, and using fake gaming streamers to install remote access software.

TikTok warns users about a surge in scams where fraudsters impersonate customer service representatives. These scammers trick users into downloading fake apps, like a bogus “TikTok Meetings” app, and then use screen-sharing to access bank accounts and steal funds. TikTok explicitly states there is no official “TikTok Meetings” app and advises skepticism toward unsolicited requests to download software or transfer money. They also caution against post-shopping festival delivery scams that lead to malware downloads. TikTok emphasizes they will never ask users to download third-party software or share screens.

President Trump has extended the potential deadline for a U.S. ban on TikTok to September 17, 2025, marking the third such extension. This follows a 2024 law mandating ByteDance divest TikTok or face a ban. ByteDance has stated it will not sell the app. Despite the ongoing legal uncertainties, TikTok’s global user base continues to grow, exceeding one billion monthly active users outside of China.