Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has issued a strong warning to China on Thursday, stating that popular social media app TikTok will be forced to shut down if the country does not agree to a deal that would see American owners taking control of the app and its algorithm.
In an interview with CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street,” Lutnick emphasized the need for TikTok to come out of Chinese control, stating that the decision has been made and that it is no longer acceptable for the app to remain under Chinese ownership.
“TikTok has to be under American control,” Lutnick stated firmly. “We have made the decision that it cannot continue to be in Chinese hands. It’s a matter of national security and we cannot compromise on that.”
The Commerce Secretary’s statement comes amidst growing concerns over the security and privacy of user data on the popular app. TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has faced intense scrutiny from the US government over its ties to China and the potential risk it poses to national security.
Lutnick’s warning also follows President Trump’s executive order issued in August, which gave ByteDance a deadline of September 20th to either sell or spin off its US operations. The order cited concerns that the app could be used by the Chinese government to access sensitive information of American citizens.
While TikTok has denied any allegations of sharing user data with the Chinese government, the app has faced backlash from US lawmakers and officials who believe it poses a threat to national security. The app, which has over 100 million users in the US alone, has also been accused of censoring content that is critical of the Chinese government.
In response to the growing pressure from the US government, TikTok has been in talks with American companies to sell a majority stake in its US operations. Companies such as Microsoft, Walmart, and Oracle have expressed interest in the deal, with Microsoft being the front runner.
However, Lutnick’s warning suggests that the US government is not satisfied with just a sale of the app, but rather a complete transfer of ownership and control to American companies. This would also include the app’s highly coveted algorithm, which is responsible for the app’s viral success.
The Commerce Secretary’s statement has been welcomed by many US officials who see it as a necessary step in safeguarding national security. Senator Marco Rubio, who has been vocal about his concerns over TikTok, tweeted in support of the move, stating that the app poses a “real & present danger to U.S. national security.”
On the other hand, TikTok has expressed disappointment over the decision, stating that it has been working towards addressing the concerns of the US government and has made significant efforts to increase transparency and data security.
However, Lutnick’s warning makes it clear that the US government is not willing to take any chances when it comes to national security. With the September 20th deadline approaching, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and whether TikTok will indeed go dark if a deal is not reached.
In the meantime, TikTok users in the US are left uncertain about the future of their beloved app. Many have taken to social media to express their disappointment and concerns, while others have already started looking for alternative platforms.
The fate of TikTok in the US is now in the hands of the Chinese government. Will they agree to a deal that would see the app and its algorithm under American control? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure, the US government is not backing down on its stance and is determined to protect its national security at all costs.
