Trump Executive Order Will Hand TikTok Over to US Investors

President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order that will require Chinese company ByteDance to divest its popular social media app, TikTok, to US investors within 90 days. This move comes amid growing concerns about the security and privacy risks associated with TikTok’s Chinese ownership.

The executive order cites national security concerns, alleging that TikTok collects sensitive user data that could be accessed by the Chinese government. By handing over control to US investors, the Trump administration hopes to mitigate these risks and protect American users’ data.

ByteDance has faced scrutiny from both the US government and other countries over its handling of user data and alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The company has repeatedly denied these allegations and insisted that it operates independently of the Chinese government.

While the executive order does not outright ban TikTok in the US, it effectively forces ByteDance to find new, American investors to take over the app’s operations. Several US-based companies, including Microsoft, have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s US operations.

The future of TikTok remains uncertain as the deadline to find US investors approaches. If ByteDance fails to divest its ownership to American companies within the 90-day period, the app could face a ban in the US.

US investors have the opportunity to shape the future of TikTok and potentially address the security and privacy concerns that have plagued the app in recent months. By placing TikTok under American control, the Trump administration aims to protect national security interests while allowing the app to continue operating in the US.

It remains to be seen how the TikTok saga will unfold in the coming months and what impact this executive order will have on the app’s millions of users worldwide.