According to multiple news agencies, the US is demanding that China-owned TikTok be sold or the popular video app be banned in the country due to security concerns.
new York TimesWall Street Journal, National Public Radio (NPR) and others reported Wednesday evening that there had been demands in recent weeks for TikTok to sell the app.
The Times said the move marked a “significant change in the Biden administration’s position”. TIC Toc, which has come under scrutiny over fears that Beijing could request Americans’ data from the app. went to the white house trying to compromise Time said that with TikTok that would implement new security measures to its data and eliminate the need for ByteDance to sell its shares in the app.
TikTok said it is considering its options and is disappointed with the decision. The company said its security proposition, which includes storing Americans’ data in the United States, provides the best protection for users.
“If the objective is to protect national security, divestment is not the solution to the problem: a change in ownership will not impose any new restrictions on data flow or access,” TikTok spokeswoman Maureen Shanahan said in a statement.
The news comes as TikTok chief executive Shou Zi Chew is scheduled to testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee next week.
In response to prolonged criticism, TikTok has pledged to spend US$1.5 billion on a plan called “Project Texas”, which would like Build a Strong Firewall between employees of TikTok and its Beijing parent company ByteDance.
According to NPR, the committee on foreign investment in america, (CFIUS), a federal agency, at first appeared satisfied with TikTok’s proposal, although it had not formally approved it. Now, NPR says, CFIUS has rejected TikTok’s proposal and is demanding that ByteDance sell the app.
In recent weeks, several jurisdictions have prohibited their employees from using TikTok on government-issued devices. it is included Government of Canada and the provinces of Quebec and Ontario.
Despite concerns from governments that TikTok collects too much personal data from users and demand from China’s domestic companies, the video app has an estimated 100 million users in the US alone. Its popularity can perhaps be measured by a host on Sunday’s Academy Awards pre-show, who asked several stars about their presence on TikTok.
The Times noted that the White House last week supported a bipartisan Senate bill that would give it More power to you to tackle TikTok, Including banning the app. If passed, the legislation would give the Biden administration more leverage in its negotiations with the app, and potentially allow it to force sales.
But, the Times said, any attempt to ban the app or force its sale could face a legal challenge. Federal courts eventually ruled against President Donald Trump’s attempt to block the app from appearing in Apple and Google’s app stores. And the American Civil Liberties Union recently condemned legislation banning the app, saying it raises concerns under the First Amendment.
