Donald Trump contends that, in light of the uncertainty surrounding the final agreement, Tiktok is aiming to keep operating in the US while Beijing retains control over the algorithms that govern the platform’s video feed.
“There’s a deal concerning Tiktok. A number of major companies are interested in purchasing it,” Trump stated on Tuesday, though he did not provide further specifics.
The agreement, reportedly negotiated between US Treasury Secretary Scott Bescent and a Chinese deputy prime minister in Madrid, is said to involve transferring US assets of the social media platform from Chinese ownership to new American proprietors.
A key concern revolves around the fate of Tiktok’s influential algorithms that contribute to its status as one of the top online entertainment sources globally.
At a press briefing in Madrid, the deputy head of China’s cybersecurity regulator indicated that the framework for the agreement would entail “algorithm licenses and other intellectual property rights.”
Wang Jingtao noted that Bytedance will “contract Tiktok’s US user data and content security operations.”
Some analysts interpret these remarks to mean that the US spinoff of Tiktok may still possess the Chinese algorithm.
During a discussion at the Supreme Court in January, Tiktok’s lawyer informed the judge of the challenges in selling the platform to US companies, citing Chinese laws that restrict the sale of its algorithms, which are critical to the success of social media platforms.
US officials have previously expressed concerns that the algorithms determining user content could be susceptible to manipulation by the Chinese government.
Tiktok has countered that the US has not presented any evidence suggesting that China has sought to manipulate content on American platforms.
According to China’s House Selection Committee, any agreement between Beijing and Washington must adhere to laws requiring Tiktok’s sale to avoid a ban in the US.
“If the algorithm remains Chinese, it does not meet compliance. There is no algorithm shared with the US,” a spokesman for China’s House Selection Committee stated.
On Tuesday, Trump further postponed the enforcement of the Tiktok ban until December 16th, marking the fourth delay of legislation aimed at compelling Chinese owners to divest from the app. The latest delay was set to conclude on Wednesday, aligning with a law enacted in 2024 by then-President Joe Biden that aimed to close Tiktok in the US due to its Chinese ownership.
This law aims to address national security concerns linked to Tiktok’s Chinese parent company and its possible connections to the Chinese government.
Nonetheless, the 2024 election campaign heavily relies on social media, with Trump, who has expressed a fondness for Tiktok, continuing to delay the ban.
The app is under scrutiny from US officials worried about data collection practices and content manipulation. Tiktok has consistently denied sharing user data with Chinese authorities and has contested various restrictions in federal courts.
“We have a significant pool of companies interested in acquiring it,” Trump remarked.
China also confirmed what was described as a “framework” for transactions on Monday following phone calls between the two leaders.
After a Reuters inquiry, a senior White House official commented that specifics regarding the framework were “speculation unless disclosed by this administration.”
Reuters and Assen France Press
Source: www.theguardian.com
