The future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain as former President Donald Trump confirms ongoing discussions with four potential buyers regarding its sale. The U.S. government has long expressed concerns over ByteDance’s ties to China, fearing that American user data could be accessed by Chinese authorities. A law effective from January 19 requires ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban, with a 75-day enforcement delay granted by Trump.
Potential buyers include former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, and TikTok’s estimated value is around $50 billion. Despite TikTok’s claims that user data is secure, U.S. officials insist on stricter regulations. If sold, the new owner must comply with U.S. data privacy laws, and heavy regulations may still apply.
Many users worry about TikTok’s future, while some politicians support a sale over an outright ban. Meanwhile, China may oppose ByteDance selling TikTok to a U.S. company, further complicating negotiations. The outcome of this deal could set a precedent for how the U.S. handles other Chinese-owned apps, highlighting the ongoing tensions between data privacy and national security.