“We’ll see what happens, they either shut it down or they sell it,” Trump said before boarding Air Force One at the Andrews Joint Base. He argued that “TikTok’s deadline will not be extended.”
The president’s comments are just the latest example of his strong approach to the popular app after announcing in July that he would ban him from working in the United States. He said in his executive order last month that there is “compelling evidence” that ByteDance “can take action that threatens to undermine the national security of the United States.”
However, the app has sued the Trump administration in response to what it says is a “highly politicized” order.
“We prefer constructive dialogue to litigation,” said a TikTok post about the case. “But with a presidential decree threatening to impose a ban on our operations in the United States, which would exclude the creation of 10,000 jobs in America and cause irreparable harm to the millions of Americans who turn to this app for entertainment, communication and legitimate livelihoods that are vital. especially during a pandemic – we simply have no choice. “
The app became popular in the US and other Western countries, becoming the first Chinese social media platform to receive significant support from users outside of their home country.
It was downloaded 315 million times in the first three months of this year, according to analyst firm Sensor Tower, which is more quarterly downloads than any other app in history.
“TikTok user data in the US is stored in the US with strict employee access controls. TikTok’s largest investors are from the United States. We are committed to protecting the privacy and safety of our users while continuing to work to bring joy and meaningful careers to families. those who create on our platform, ”TikTok spokeswoman Hilary McQuaid told CNN last month.
Cybersecurity experts said that TikTok’s potential national security risk is largely theoretical, and that there is no evidence that the app’s user’s data has been compromised by Chinese intelligence.
