Post by : Badri Ariffin

The future of TikTok in the United States has ignited renewed discussions as legislators press President Donald Trump for clear answers regarding the divestiture of the app's US segment. Used by approximately 170 million Americans, this popular short-video platform is under closer examination due to its ties with ByteDance, a Chinese tech giant.

Last September, President Trump issued an executive order directing ByteDance to divest a majority share of TikTok US to a coalition of US and global investors. This order has postponed the enforcement of a potential ban on the app until January 20, providing a 120-day window for finalizing the transaction. However, the ambiguous terms and extensions have drawn scrutiny from various quarters.

Senator Ed Markey expressed his worries on Monday, emphasizing the lack of transparency from the White House regarding whether the agreement sufficiently mitigates national security threats tied to ByteDance's ongoing role. In correspondence to Trump, Markey demanded clarity on the licensing of TikTok’s algorithm, questioning whether a United States-based firm would possess complete control or rely on updates from China.

Several key concerns remain unanswered: while ByteDance is set to keep under 20% ownership of TikTok US, uncertainties persist regarding algorithm transfers, necessary approvals from Chinese regulators, and subsequent influence over the platform’s future operations. The specifics surrounding the licensing agreement have raised alarms among certain US officials, who fear that China may still exert indirect control over TikTok US post-sale.

Republican Representative John Moolenaar, chairing the House select committee on China, also cautioned in October that incorporating algorithm licensing in the sale agreement could pose “serious concerns.” As of now, the White House has remained silent on these pressing issues.

As this situation progresses, lawmakers and TikTok users alike are left awaiting concrete information regarding the app's long-term prospects within the United States.

#AI #Technology