In a bid to understand the potential implications of the incoming administration's tech policy, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has reportedly sought counsel from tech mogul Elon Musk.
This move comes in anticipation of President-elect Donald Trump's second term and the potential impact on the social media platform. The Wall Street Journal, citing sources privy to the matter, reported that Chew has initiated multiple conversations with Musk.
According to The Post Millennial, the report also revealed that executives from ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, had made overtures to Vice President Kamala Harris' team prior to the election. This outreach underscores the mounting pressure TikTok faces due to national security concerns linked to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Earlier this year, the Biden administration enacted a law mandating ByteDance to divest its US operations by January or face a ban.
TikTok is currently contesting this ban in court, invoking the First Amendment. The platform's legal woes stem from an executive order signed by Trump during his first term, which sought to ban the app citing security risks associated with data collection by the Chinese government. However, Trump seemed to moderate his stance while on the campaign trail for re-election.
In a CNBC interview, Trump recognized TikTok's popularity and suggested that the decision should be left to Congress. He described it as a "tough decision" while acknowledging the security threats posed by the platform. "Frankly, there are a lot of people on TikTok that love it. There are a lot of young kids on TikTok who will go crazy without it. There are a lot of users. Theres a lot of good and theres a lot of bad with TikTok," Trump stated.
In a surprising move, Trump also created his own TikTok account during his campaign, posting several viral videos, including one where he claimed he would "save TikTok" in the US. Sources cited by the Washington Post suggest that Trump plans to halt the TikTok ban once he assumes office. This move could signal a shift in the administration's approach to tech policy, particularly concerning platforms with foreign ownership.
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