Trump secures TikTok's future under U.S. investors

In the United States, President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order aimed at securing the future of TikTok, a social media app with approximately 170 million American users. The executive order comes in response to concerns regarding data privacy and the potential for espionage due to TikTok's Chinese ownership under the parent company ByteDance. Trump's executive order outlines a deal for TikTok to come under the control of U.S. investors, including tech giant Oracle, and was announced during a press conference alongside Vice President J.D. Vance. The administration claims this deal has received approval from Chinese President Xi Jinping, although it remains unclear whether a finalized agreement has been reached publicly by ByteDance or the Chinese government. Under the proposed agreement, the new U.S.-based joint venture would see U.S. investors owning approximately 80% of TikTok's operations while retaining ByteDance's 20% stake. Moreover, U.S. officials have stated that the platform's algorithm would be managed entirely by American interests to address national security concerns over foreign influence. The executive order allows TikTok to continue operating in the U.S., marking the end of a prolonged period of uncertainty regarding the app's availability amidst fears of a potential ban. However, skepticism remains about the execution of this deal, as no precise timelines or procedures have been confirmed by the involved parties. The deal follows a complicated legal landscape where TikTok previously fought against potential bans in courts, including a challenge invoking First Amendment rights. This recent executive action is significant not only for TikTok's users but also for the social media landscape, as it represents a pivotal shift in ownership and management of a major platform that has become critical in how younger Americans receive information. Concerns linger about the implications of the app being controlled by an investment consortium with ties to Trump, raising questions about the potential for political influence over content presentation in the future.