The White House has announced that US companies will now control TikTok's algorithm and Americans will hold six of seven board seats for the app's US operations in a much-anticipated deal with China. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that a deal could be signed 'in the coming days', but Beijing is yet to comment.
The US has sought to take control of the video-sharing app's US operations from Chinese parent company ByteDance for national security reasons. Previously, TikTok had been warned to divest its US operations or face shutdown. Despite repeated delays by the Trump administration since January, this latest proposal aims to solidify TikTok’s presence in the US market safely.
Leavitt emphasized that the data and privacy management for TikTok will be overseen by Oracle, a major American tech company led by Trump ally Larry Ellison. 'The data and privacy will be led by one of America's greatest tech companies, Oracle, and the algorithm will also be controlled by America as well,' she explained.
Donald Trump spoke of a productive call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, suggesting that both leaders have tentatively approved this deal. However, the Chinese response has been more cautious, advocating for negotiations to comply with China's laws and market principles.
Concerns have been raised about who will own TikTok's content-pushing algorithm, which is pivotal for its 170 million US users. While Trump initially sought to ban the app, he has shifted his stance, leveraging TikTok’s popularity to gain favor with younger voters during his latest campaign.
Amid this backdrop, national security threats arising from TikTok's data access have captured the attention of US officials, making this deal a crucial step in addressing those issues while safeguarding American interests in the rapidly evolving social media landscape.
The US has sought to take control of the video-sharing app's US operations from Chinese parent company ByteDance for national security reasons. Previously, TikTok had been warned to divest its US operations or face shutdown. Despite repeated delays by the Trump administration since January, this latest proposal aims to solidify TikTok’s presence in the US market safely.
Leavitt emphasized that the data and privacy management for TikTok will be overseen by Oracle, a major American tech company led by Trump ally Larry Ellison. 'The data and privacy will be led by one of America's greatest tech companies, Oracle, and the algorithm will also be controlled by America as well,' she explained.
Donald Trump spoke of a productive call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, suggesting that both leaders have tentatively approved this deal. However, the Chinese response has been more cautious, advocating for negotiations to comply with China's laws and market principles.
Concerns have been raised about who will own TikTok's content-pushing algorithm, which is pivotal for its 170 million US users. While Trump initially sought to ban the app, he has shifted his stance, leveraging TikTok’s popularity to gain favor with younger voters during his latest campaign.
Amid this backdrop, national security threats arising from TikTok's data access have captured the attention of US officials, making this deal a crucial step in addressing those issues while safeguarding American interests in the rapidly evolving social media landscape.
