Trump's TikTok Deal: What Happened?

by ADMIN 36 views
>

The saga of Trump and TikTok is a rollercoaster of national security concerns, potential bans, and deal-making. Let's break down what happened.

The Initial Concerns

During his presidency, Donald Trump raised significant concerns about TikTok's potential ties to the Chinese government. The worry was that user data could be accessed and used by the Chinese Communist Party, posing a national security risk. This led to an executive order in August 2020 aiming to ban TikTok in the United States.

The Proposed Deal

To avoid a ban, a deal was proposed that would involve Oracle and Walmart taking a significant stake in a new U.S.-based entity called TikTok Global. This entity would manage TikTok's U.S. operations, ensuring data security and compliance with American regulations. The idea was that this partnership would alleviate national security concerns while allowing TikTok to continue operating in the U.S.

Key Players

  • Donald Trump: The former U.S. President who initiated the concerns and proposed the ban.
  • TikTok: The popular video-sharing app owned by Chinese company ByteDance.
  • Oracle: The tech giant poised to handle TikTok's U.S. data.
  • Walmart: The retail giant set to have a stake in TikTok Global.

What Happened to the Deal?

Despite initial progress, the deal faced numerous hurdles and ultimately stalled. The change in presidential administration from Trump to Biden played a significant role. The Biden administration took a more measured approach, opting to review the risks associated with TikTok more broadly rather than pushing for the specific Oracle-Walmart deal. This review included assessing the potential for data security risks and foreign influence.

The Current Status

As of now, the original deal proposed under the Trump administration is effectively off the table. The Biden administration has been working on a broader strategy to address the risks posed by foreign-owned apps, including TikTok. This involves a more comprehensive review process and potential new regulations to safeguard user data.

What's Next?

  • Continued negotiations between the U.S. government and TikTok.
  • Potential new regulations on data security for foreign-owned apps.
  • Ongoing scrutiny of TikTok's data practices.

In conclusion, the Trump-era TikTok deal was an attempt to address national security concerns quickly, but it ultimately fell apart. The future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain, with ongoing reviews and negotiations shaping its fate.