Trump's TikTok Deal: What's Happening Now?

by ADMIN 43 views
>

The saga of TikTok in the United States has been a rollercoaster, especially with former President Donald Trump's involvement. Let's dive into the details of the Trump TikTok deal and explore its current status.

A Quick Recap: The Trump Administration vs. TikTok

In 2020, the Trump administration raised national security concerns regarding TikTok, a popular video-sharing app owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. The core worry revolved around data privacy and the potential for the Chinese government to access user information.

Executive Orders and Proposed Bans

President Trump issued executive orders aimed at banning TikTok in the U.S. These orders cited the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and argued that TikTok posed a threat to national security. The Commerce Department was tasked with implementing these bans, which would have effectively removed TikTok from app stores and prevented U.S. companies from doing business with it.

The Proposed Deal with Oracle and Walmart

To avoid a ban, ByteDance proposed a deal that would involve Oracle and Walmart taking significant stakes in a new U.S.-based entity called TikTok Global. This entity would be responsible for handling TikTok's U.S. user data and ensuring compliance with U.S. laws.

Where Does the Deal Stand Now?

With the change in administration, the Biden administration took a different approach. While the national security concerns remained, the new administration opted to review the situation more broadly.

Biden Administration's Review

The Biden administration put the Trump-era executive orders under review. The Commerce Department delayed the implementation of the bans while it assessed the potential risks and alternative solutions. Ultimately, the Biden administration revoked Trump's executive orders in June 2021.

Current Status and Future Outlook

As of the latest updates, the proposed deal with Oracle and Walmart is effectively on hold. The Biden administration has initiated its own review of TikTok and other Chinese-owned apps to determine whether they pose a national security risk. This review is broader in scope and aims to establish a comprehensive framework for addressing data security concerns related to foreign-owned apps.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) continues to play a crucial role in evaluating the security implications of TikTok's operations. The focus is on ensuring that U.S. user data is protected and that the app is not used to spread disinformation or propaganda.

What’s Next for TikTok?

The future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain. While the immediate threat of a ban has subsided, TikTok is still under scrutiny. ByteDance is working to address the concerns raised by the U.S. government, including enhancing data security measures and increasing transparency.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump administration sought to ban TikTok over national security concerns.
  • A proposed deal involving Oracle and Walmart was intended to address these concerns.
  • The Biden administration revoked Trump's executive orders and initiated its own review.
  • TikTok's future in the U.S. depends on addressing data security and national security concerns.

Call to Action:

Stay informed about the evolving landscape of data privacy and national security. Follow updates from reliable sources to understand how these issues impact the technology you use every day.