On Thursday, December 10, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that will allow the popular social media platform TikTok to continue operating in the United States, while addressing national security concerns highlighted by lawmakers.
Previously, President Joe Biden signed legislation mandating that TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divest its assets by early 2023 or face a complete ban. However, Trump’s administration has consistently issued orders that have permitted TikTok to function as negotiations around the sale plans continue.
While the specifics of the sale agreement remain unclear, Trump claimed that Chinese President Xi Jinping has agreed to the framework, although confirmation from the Chinese embassy was not immediately available.
Research shows that around 43% of adults in the U.S. under 30 rely on TikTok for news, surpassing all other social media platforms, including YouTube.
The current proposal entails a new U.S. joint venture in which a coalition of American investors, spearheaded by Oracle and Silver Lake, will hold an approximately 80% stake, while ByteDance is expected to retain a minority interest. This new entity's board will be predominantly comprised of U.S. stakeholders to prevent any Chinese influence.
This deal aims to alleviate fears surrounding TikTok's algorithms and how they might be manipulated by Chinese authorities to shape information for American users. Despite previous warnings by U.S. officials about potential data abuses, no direct evidence has surfaced to support such claims.
Trump's initial insistence on banning TikTok due to national security risks has evolved, as the platform has proven instrumental in engaging younger voters, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 elections.
Concerns remain regarding how the operational changes might affect user experiences, keeping in mind the complex relationship between technology and user culture. As the debate surrounding data security continues, the future of TikTok and its influence in American society remains in flux.
