1. National Security Concerns: One of the primary reasons is related to national security concerns. The US government has raised concerns about the potential for TikTok to collect and share user data with the Chinese government due to its ownership by ByteDance, a Chinese company. There have been concerns about data privacy, surveillance, and the potential misuse of user data.
2. Executive Orders: Former US President Donald Trump issued executive orders in 2020 that sought to ban TikTok and force its sale to a US-based company. These orders cited national security concerns and attempted to address them by restricting the platform’s operations in the US.
3. Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) Review: The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) launched an investigation into ByteDance’s acquisition of the US-based app Musical.ly, which eventually transformed into TikTok. This investigation aimed to assess any potential national security risks associated with the acquisition.
4. Forced Sale and Security Measures: As a result of the CFIUS investigation and executive orders, discussions began to emerge around the potential sale of TikTok’s US operations to a US-based company. The goal was to address national security concerns by ensuring that user data and operations are under US control and subject to US regulations.
5. Legal Challenges and Ongoing Review: The attempted bans and forced sale faced legal challenges, and subsequent developments have involved ongoing reviews and negotiations to address concerns surrounding TikTok’s operations and ownership. This has involved assessing potential security measures, data protection, and ensuring compliance with US regulations.
It’s important to note that actions taken by the US government regarding TikTok have been influenced by national security concerns and a desire to safeguard user data and protect American interests. The specific actions and outcomes can vary over time as the situation continues to evolve and different approaches are explored to address these concerns.
