Donald Trump Dismisses Concerns On China Spying Via TikTok: Here's What He Said

Trump recently signed an executive order granting TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, a 75-day extension to divest its ownership stake.

TikTok-owner ByteDance faces a challenging negotiation process.

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US President Donald Trump has downplayed national security concerns surrounding TikTok, the popular video-sharing app under scrutiny for its ties to China. During an interview on Fox News, Trump addressed allegations that the app could be a tool for Beijing to spy on Americans, questioning the broader narrative.

“You could say the same about everything made in China,” Trump remarked after host Sean Hannity raised concerns about TikTok's data practices, reported the Washington Times. He added, “The interesting thing with TikTok though is you’re dealing with a lot of young people. Is it that important for China to be spying on young people? Young people watching crazy videos and things.”

TikTok's Future Hangs In Balance

Trump recently signed an executive order granting TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, a 75-day extension to divest its ownership stake. He also floated the idea of the US government taking a 50 per cent ownership stake in TikTok, claiming it could be a way to safeguard American interests while preserving the app’s massive cultural impact, especially among young users.

The extension follows the enforcement of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which came into effect earlier this month. The legislation, which was enacted under the Biden administration, prohibits apps linked to foreign adversaries from being updated or distributed, citing risks of data misuse and manipulation of public opinion.

Bipartisan Scrutiny Of TikTok

TikTok, which boasts over 170 million US users, has been at the centre of bipartisan concern due to fears that its data could be accessed by the Chinese government. Critics warn that ByteDance might be compelled to share user information or curate content to serve political interests.

The law’s enforcement initially led TikTok to suspend operations briefly in the US. However, Trump’s executive order allowed the app to resume services within a day.

While the extension has provided temporary relief, ByteDance faces a challenging negotiation process to ensure the app’s continued presence in the US Millions of users now await clarity on the platform’s long-term fate as policymakers grapple with balancing national security with the app’s popularity.

Trump’s proposal for partial US ownership has sparked debate, with critics questioning its feasibility and effectiveness in resolving security concerns. Meanwhile, the clock ticks for ByteDance to find a resolution that satisfies both US lawmakers and the app’s devoted user base.