Trump Executive Order Will Hand TikTok Over to US Investors

President Donald Trump has issued an executive order that will effectively force Chinese parent company ByteDance to relinquish control of popular social media app TikTok to American investors. The move comes amid concerns about national security and data privacy, as the administration fears that the Chinese government could access user data through the app.

The order requires ByteDance to divest its ownership of TikTok in the United States within 90 days, putting pressure on the company to find a buyer for the app’s operations in the country. This decision marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the US and China, as the Trump administration seeks to limit China’s influence on American tech platforms.

US investors, including Microsoft and Oracle, have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s US operations, with negotiations currently underway. If a deal is reached, American investors would have a majority stake in the app, ensuring that user data is protected from foreign interference.

However, critics argue that forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok sets a dangerous precedent for government intervention in the tech industry and could have detrimental effects on international trade relations. Some also question the administration’s motives, suggesting that the move is politically motivated rather than driven by genuine national security concerns.

Regardless of the controversy surrounding the executive order, it is clear that TikTok’s future in the US hangs in the balance. The outcome of the negotiations between ByteDance and potential American buyers will have far-reaching implications for the app’s millions of users and the broader tech industry as a whole.