There are reports that Microsoft is in talks with TikTok parent company ByteDance. The deal is expected to be settled by Monday.
Washington| US President Donald Trump said on Friday that the US is considering to ban the popular short video app TikTok. During a conversation with the media at the White House, Trump said, “We can ban TikTok. There are some other options. Let us see what happens next. We should wait.”
Trump has spoken of banning the chinese owned app many times before. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and several top officials have also reiterated his point. According to US officials, TikTok users’ data is being compromised and it could also be a threat to national security. There have been allegations that it sends personal information of users to Chinese communist government.
The deal to buy TikTok may be finalized by Monday
There are reports that Microsoft is in talks with TikTok’s parent company ByteDance. If the deal is struck, then computer giant Microsoft can buy TikTok’s business in the US. The deal is expected to be settled by Monday. Last week, the Financial Times claimed that American company Sequoia and General Atlantica were planning to buy it. Both companies were ascertaining from the Treasury Department whether the ban could be stopped if American companies were bought.
TikTok may be asked to sell ownership
Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal have quoted sources claiming that the Trump administration may order ByteDance to sell the title of the app. The order attached to it can be issued in a couple of days. The banning of the app was supported by many leaders. Senator Marco Rubio said on Friday that in the current format this app is a threat to national security. Some senators have also written a letter to the Attorney General demanding the ban.
TikTok’s parent company is keeping distance from China
Company Management has been trying to distance itself from Beijing for a few months. In May, it appointed Disney-based Kevin Mayer as its CEO. Its parent company Byte Dance has offices in Las Angeles, London, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Jakarta, Seoul and Tokyo. Last month, the company also talked about shifting its headquarters from Beijing to Washington. It also denied allegations of spying.
India Banned 57 Chinese Apps
Earlier last month, India had banned 57 Chinese apps citing a threat to national security. One of the app was TikTok which has a huge userbase in India.
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