TikTok’s Future in the US Remains Uncertain
According to a report by Bloomberg, the Chinese government is exploring scenarios for the continued operation of the popular social media platform, including the possibility of selling its US business to tech mogul Elon Musk. Official confirmations are yet to be made.
The report suggests that, in the event of a ban, Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter) could take control of TikTok in the US, with the possibility of a collaboration between the two platforms.
TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has come under scrutiny in the US due to security concerns, with critics fearing that the Chinese government could access user data or manipulate targeted campaigns through the app.
Under a US law, ByteDance must separate its US subsidiary from TikTok by January 19, 2025, or face a gradual ban. ByteDance has so far refused to sell TikTok, denying the allegations and maintaining the app’s popularity with over 170 million active users in the US.
Musk, as CEO of Tesla and founder of xAI, has strong ties to China, having established a fully-owned factory in Shanghai, the first foreign automaker to do so. His connections to the Chinese government and his role in Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, including significant donations, have raised eyebrows among observers, who see a potential deal as a means to strengthen China’s interests in the US.
TikTok has filed a request for an extension with the US Supreme Court to challenge the law, but the court has shown little willingness to support the argument of a free speech violation. The designated US President, Donald Trump, has expressed a desire for a political solution and has asked the Supreme Court to delay the implementation of the law.
The future of TikTok in the US remains uncertain, with the possibility of a sale to Elon Musk dependent on political and economic interests on both sides. As of now, there is no official unity in the Chinese government or confirmed negotiations between ByteDance, Musk, and US authorities.