Microsoft Corp is in talks to buy ByteDance-owned TikTok, the New York Times reported on Friday, citing a source. The discussions between Microsoft and TikTok were first reported earlier on Friday by FOX Business, the Times said.

Microsoft Corp is in talks to buy ByteDance-owned TikTok, the New York Times reported on Friday, citing a source. The discussions between Microsoft and TikTok were first reported earlier on Friday by FOX Business, the Times said. China's ByteDance has agreed to divest the US operations of TikTok completely in a bid to save a deal with the White House, after President Donald Trump said on Friday he had decided to ban the popular short-video app, Reuters report said quoting two people familiar with the matter said on Saturday. US officials have said TikTok under its Chinese parent poses a national risk because of the personal data it handles. ByteDance's concession will test whether Trump's threat to ban TikTok is a negotiating tactic or whether he is intent on cracking down on a social media app that has up to 80 million daily active users in the United States. Trump told reporters onboard Air Force One late on Friday that he would issue an order for TikTok to be banned in the United States as early as Saturday. ByteDance was previously seeking to keep a minority stake in the US business of TikTok, which the White House had rejected. Under the new proposed deal, ByteDance would exit completely and Microsoft Corp would take over TikTok in the United States, the sources said. Some ByteDance investors that are based in the United States may be given the opportunity to take minority stakes in the business, the sources added. About 70% of ByteDance's outside investors come from the United States. The White House declined to comment on whether Trump would accept ByteDance's concession, according to Reuters. Under ByteDance's new proposal, Microsoft will be in charge of protecting all US user data, the sources said. The plan allows for another US company other than Microsoft to take over TikTok in the United States, the sources added. As relations between the United States and China deteriorate over trade, Hong Kong’s autonomy, cyber security and the spread of the novel coronavirus, TikTok has emerged as a flashpoint in the dispute between the world’s two largest economies.

Microsoft in talks to buy ByteDance-owned TikTok: Report

Chinese tech giant ByteDance is considering listing its domestic business in Hong Kong or Shanghai, against a backdrop of rising Sino-US tensions over its hit non-China video app TikTok.

Of the two venues, the company prefers Hong Kong, according to Reuters.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Beijing-based tech and media company had originally wanted to list as a combined entity, including TikTok and other operations, in New York or Hong Kong in a blockbuster deal.

It's also said ByteDance is simultaneously studying the option to list its smaller, non-China business - which includes TikTok that is not available in China - in Europe or the United States.

Reuters previously reported China accounts for the bulk of ByteDance revenue, which one source said was around $16 billion in 2019. A standalone listing could value the China business at more than $100 billion in Hong Kong or on Shanghai's Nasdaq-style STAR Market.

The review of separate plans for the China business comes amid growing concerns over US regulatory scrutiny and uncertainty over whether a 2013 audit deal between Beijing and Washington, that underpins Chinese firms listing in the United States, will remain intact.

Plans may also be complicated by some heavyweight ByteDance investors looking to take over TikTok at a valuation of $50 billion. TikTok faces pressure from US regulators who have spoken about banning the app, or requiring ByteDance to sell it, over suspicions Beijing could force its owner to turn over data on US users.

The China business listing idea comes as diplomatic strains have risen between Beijing and capitals in countries elsewhere including the United States, India and Britain.

US-listed Chinese companies also face tightened financial scrutiny and stricter audit requirements from US regulators, prompting a number of Chinese companies including search engine giant Baidu and online travel firm Trip.com Group to consider abandoning a New York listing and move instead to an exchange closer to home.

(with inputs from agencies)

Chinese tech giant ByteDance is considering listing its domestic business in Hong Kong or Shanghai, against a backdrop of rising Sino-US tensions over its hit non-China video app TikTok.

Chinese tech giant ByteDance is considering listing its domestic business in Hong Kong or Shanghai, against a backdrop of rising Sino-US tensions over its hit non-China video app TikTok. Of the two venues, the company prefers Hong Kong, according to Reuters. The Beijing-based tech and media company had originally wanted to list as a combined entity, including TikTok and other operations, in New York or Hong Kong in a blockbuster deal. It's also said ByteDance is simultaneously studying the option to list its smaller, non-China business - which includes TikTok that is not available in China - in Europe or the United States. Reuters previously reported China accounts for the bulk of ByteDance revenue, which one source said was around $16 billion in 2019. A standalone listing could value the China business at more than $100 billion in Hong Kong or on Shanghai's Nasdaq-style STAR Market. The review of separate plans for the China business comes amid growing concerns over US regulatory scrutiny and uncertainty over whether a 2013 audit deal between Beijing and Washington, that underpins Chinese firms listing in the United States, will remain intact. Plans may also be complicated by some heavyweight ByteDance investors looking to take over TikTok at a valuation of $50 billion. TikTok faces pressure from US regulators who have spoken about banning the app, or requiring ByteDance to sell it, over suspicions Beijing could force its owner to turn over data on US users. The China business listing idea comes as diplomatic strains have risen between Beijing and capitals in countries elsewhere including the United States, India and Britain. US-listed Chinese companies also face tightened financial scrutiny and stricter audit requirements from US regulators, prompting a number of Chinese companies including search engine giant Baidu and online travel firm Trip.com Group to consider abandoning a New York listing and move instead to an exchange closer to home. (with inputs from agencies)

TikTok owner ByteDance ditches US, considers listing China business in Hong Kong

Some investors of TikTok’s parent company ByteDance seeking to take over the popular social media app are valuing it at about $50 billion, significantly more than peers such as Snap Inc, according to people familiar with the matter.

Beijing-based ByteDance is considering a range of options for TikTok amid pressure from the United States to relinquish control of the app, which allows users to create short videos with special effects and has become wildly popular with US teenagers. The app’s success has helped turn ByteDance into one of only a handful of truly global Chinese conglomerates.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), a US government panel which reviews deals by foreign acquirers for potential national security risks, has raised concerns about the safety of the personal data that TikTok handles under its Chinese owner, Reuters has previously reported.

Privately held ByteDance has received a proposal from some of its investors, including Sequoia and General Atlantic, to transfer majority ownership of TikTok to them, the sources said. It has also fielded acquisition interest in TikTok from other companies and investment firms, the sources said.

The investors’ bid values TikTok at 50 times its projected 2020 revenue of about $1 billion, according to the sources. By comparison, Snap is valued at 15 times its projected 2020 revenue, at about $33 billion, according to data provider Refinitiv.

It is unclear whether ByteDance’s founder and CEO, Yiming Zhang, will be satisfied with the offer. ByteDance executives recently discussed valuation projections for TikTok that exceed $50 billion, one of the sources said.

TikTok is growing rapidly as it rakes in more cash from advertising, and its management team expects to achieve $6 billion in revenue in 2021, one of the sources said. ByteDance, which owns other apps including TikTok’s Chinese counterpart, Douyin‎, has set itself a revenue target for 2020 of about 200 billion yuan ($28 billion), Reuters has previously reported.

ByteDance was valued at as much as $140 billion earlier this year when one of its shareholders, Cheetah Mobile Inc, sold a small stake in a private deal, one of the sources said.

If a deal for the whole of TikTok cannot be reached, ByteDance is exploring divesting only TikTok’s US operations, one of the sources said. It is not clear what such a deal would be worth and what ties TikTok in the United States would maintain with its global operations.

There is no certainty that ByteDance will agree to any deal, the sources said. It is pushing ahead with structural changes that will further ringfence the US business of TikTok from its global empire, the sources added. These changes could include a new holding company for TikTok and an independent board, one of the sources said, cautioning that no decision has been made. The company has already separated TikTok operationally from its other apps through dedicated teams.

The sources requested anonymity because the deliberations are confidential.

ByteDance, General Atlantic and Sequoia declined to comment, while Cheetah Mobile and a CFIUS spokeswoman did not respond to requests for comment.

TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer said in a blog post on Wednesday that the company was committed to following US laws, and was allowing experts to observe its moderation policies and examine the code that drives its algorithms.

TARGET OF US LAWMAKERS

As relations between the United States and China deteriorate over trade, Hong Kong’s autonomy, cyber security and the spread of the novel coronavirus, TikTok has emerged as a flashpoint in the dispute between the world’s two largest economies.

Last week, the US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs unanimously passed a bill that would bar US federal employees from using TikTok on government-issued devices. It will be taken up by the full Senate for a vote. The House of Representatives has already voted for a similar measure.

President Donald Trump and top administrations officials have said they are considering a broader ban on TikTok and other Chinese-linked apps.

ByteDance acquired Shanghai-based video app Musical.ly app in a $1 billion deal in 2017 and relaunched it as TikTok the following year. About 70% of the equity capital ByteDance has raised from outside investors has come from the United States, according to one of the sources.

Some investors of TikTok’s parent company ByteDance seeking to take over the popular social media app are valuing it at about $50 billion, significantly more than peers such as Snap Inc, according to people familiar with the matter.

Some investors of TikTok’s parent company ByteDance seeking to take over the popular social media app are valuing it at about $50 billion, significantly more than peers such as Snap Inc, according to people familiar with the matter. Beijing-based ByteDance is considering a range of options for TikTok amid pressure from the United States to relinquish control of the app, which allows users to create short videos with special effects and has become wildly popular with US teenagers. The app’s success has helped turn ByteDance into one of only a handful of truly global Chinese conglomerates. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), a US government panel which reviews deals by foreign acquirers for potential national security risks, has raised concerns about the safety of the personal data that TikTok handles under its Chinese owner, Reuters has previously reported. Privately held ByteDance has received a proposal from some of its investors, including Sequoia and General Atlantic, to transfer majority ownership of TikTok to them, the sources said. It has also fielded acquisition interest in TikTok from other companies and investment firms, the sources said. The investors’ bid values TikTok at 50 times its projected 2020 revenue of about $1 billion, according to the sources. By comparison, Snap is valued at 15 times its projected 2020 revenue, at about $33 billion, according to data provider Refinitiv. It is unclear whether ByteDance’s founder and CEO, Yiming Zhang, will be satisfied with the offer. ByteDance executives recently discussed valuation projections for TikTok that exceed $50 billion, one of the sources said. TikTok is growing rapidly as it rakes in more cash from advertising, and its management team expects to achieve $6 billion in revenue in 2021, one of the sources said. ByteDance, which owns other apps including TikTok’s Chinese counterpart, Douyin‎, has set itself a revenue target for 2020 of about 200 billion yuan ($28 billion), Reuters has previously reported. ByteDance was valued at as much as $140 billion earlier this year when one of its shareholders, Cheetah Mobile Inc, sold a small stake in a private deal, one of the sources said. If a deal for the whole of TikTok cannot be reached, ByteDance is exploring divesting only TikTok’s US operations, one of the sources said. It is not clear what such a deal would be worth and what ties TikTok in the United States would maintain with its global operations. There is no certainty that ByteDance will agree to any deal, the sources said. It is pushing ahead with structural changes that will further ringfence the US business of TikTok from its global empire, the sources added. These changes could include a new holding company for TikTok and an independent board, one of the sources said, cautioning that no decision has been made. The company has already separated TikTok operationally from its other apps through dedicated teams. The sources requested anonymity because the deliberations are confidential. ByteDance, General Atlantic and Sequoia declined to comment, while Cheetah Mobile and a CFIUS spokeswoman did not respond to requests for comment. TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer said in a blog post on Wednesday that the company was committed to following US laws, and was allowing experts to observe its moderation policies and examine the code that drives its algorithms. TARGET OF US LAWMAKERS As relations between the United States and China deteriorate over trade, Hong Kong’s autonomy, cyber security and the spread of the novel coronavirus, TikTok has emerged as a flashpoint in the dispute between the world’s two largest economies. Last week, the US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs unanimously passed a bill that would bar US federal employees from using TikTok on government-issued devices. It will be taken up by the full Senate for a vote. The House of Representatives has already voted for a similar measure. President Donald Trump and top administrations officials have said they are considering a broader ban on TikTok and other Chinese-linked apps. ByteDance acquired Shanghai-based video app Musical.ly app in a $1 billion deal in 2017 and relaunched it as TikTok the following year. About 70% of the equity capital ByteDance has raised from outside investors has come from the United States, according to one of the sources.

ByteDance investors value TikTok at $50 billion in takeover bid

Countries around the world want to make an example out of TikTok. The popular video app is facing bans with calls for a boycott in multiple countries and users around the world are abandoning the platform.

India was the first country to ban it, now others want to follow suit. Until India banned the app, it was ticking on its way to success. It was creating new social media stars and challenging the domination of the Silicon Valley but all that is history.

With India's ban, the fortunes of TikTok have turned for the worse starting with the United States. In the US, officials in the defence forces and the government cannot install the app on their phones but&nbsp;lawmakers are pushing for broader restrictions.&nbsp;

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The US lawmakers want a complete ban. There is no precedent of a network ban in the US as America has never cut off access to something via internet companies. It can introduce new regulations for app stores and create a new rulebook of sorts that allows the US government to ban apps.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the committee of foreign investment has opened a probe into TikTok. It is a very powerful inter-agency committee in the US which reviews foreign investments on national security grounds, if Tiktok is found guilty, the committee has the power to compel the app to separate from its Chinese ownership that is, if it wants to run its business in America.&nbsp;

The US can in fact force TikTok to divorce its Chinese owners. Australia is another country looking to ban TikTok with lawmakers building pressure for a ban. It began with a report earlier this month with the Herald Sun reporting that one Australian lawmaker is pushing for a ban on TikTok since then others have joined and the chorus it is growing louder.

Senator Jim Molan has claimed that TikTok is being "used and abused" by the Chinese government.&nbsp;&nbsp;A&nbsp;lawmaker from the Labour Party called TikTok before a committee of lawmakers.&nbsp;

TikTok’s representatives were asked to face a panel and they were called to the select committee of foreign interference through social media. It is a committee which looks into foreign interference through social media.&nbsp;

A top executive has already left the company and Tiktok’s owner Bytedance has lost it head of artificial intelligence. Ma Wei-ying will leave by the end of this month.&nbsp;

Tiktok actually saw it coming. The company knew its links to China will hurt it at some point, so, it tried to create a distance between itself and the Communist Party. A separate app was created just for the Chinese market although Tiktok isn’t available in China but it has a different version of the same application called Douyin.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The company hired foreign executives to lead its operations. In May, the company hired an American CEO Kevin Mayer. He had earlier worked with Disney. Mayer is the CEO of TikTok and the COO of its parent company Bytedance with most of the top executives of TikTok being American citizens.&nbsp;

TikTok has hired an army of lobbyists in America to protect its business. TikTok reportedly had no lobbyist in Washington DC a year ago. Now, it has an army of more than 35 lobbyists there. It includes one lobbyist with deep ties to US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

Countries around the world want to make an example out of TikTok. The popular video app is facing bans with calls for a boycott in multiple countries and users around the world are abandoning the platform.

Countries around the world want to make an example out of TikTok. The popular video app is facing bans with calls for a boycott in multiple countries and users around the world are abandoning the platform. India was the first country to ban it, now others want to follow suit. Until India banned the app, it was ticking on its way to success. It was creating new social media stars and challenging the domination of the Silicon Valley but all that is history. With India's ban, the fortunes of TikTok have turned for the worse starting with the United States. In the US, officials in the defence forces and the government cannot install the app on their phones but lawmakers are pushing for broader restrictions. × The US lawmakers want a complete ban. There is no precedent of a network ban in the US as America has never cut off access to something via internet companies. It can introduce new regulations for app stores and create a new rulebook of sorts that allows the US government to ban apps. Meanwhile, the committee of foreign investment has opened a probe into TikTok. It is a very powerful inter-agency committee in the US which reviews foreign investments on national security grounds, if Tiktok is found guilty, the committee has the power to compel the app to separate from its Chinese ownership that is, if it wants to run its business in America. The US can in fact force TikTok to divorce its Chinese owners. Australia is another country looking to ban TikTok with lawmakers building pressure for a ban. It began with a report earlier this month with the Herald Sun reporting that one Australian lawmaker is pushing for a ban on TikTok since then others have joined and the chorus it is growing louder. Senator Jim Molan has claimed that TikTok is being "used and abused" by the Chinese government. A lawmaker from the Labour Party called TikTok before a committee of lawmakers. TikTok’s representatives were asked to face a panel and they were called to the select committee of foreign interference through social media. It is a committee which looks into foreign interference through social media. A top executive has already left the company and Tiktok’s owner Bytedance has lost it head of artificial intelligence. Ma Wei-ying will leave by the end of this month. Tiktok actually saw it coming. The company knew its links to China will hurt it at some point, so, it tried to create a distance between itself and the Communist Party. A separate app was created just for the Chinese market although Tiktok isn’t available in China but it has a different version of the same application called Douyin. The company hired foreign executives to lead its operations. In May, the company hired an American CEO Kevin Mayer. He had earlier worked with Disney. Mayer is the CEO of TikTok and the COO of its parent company Bytedance with most of the top executives of TikTok being American citizens. TikTok has hired an army of lobbyists in America to protect its business. TikTok reportedly had no lobbyist in Washington DC a year ago. Now, it has an army of more than 35 lobbyists there. It includes one lobbyist with deep ties to US President Donald Trump.

After India, US & Australia eye ban on TikTok

TikTok’s troubles started with India but now it’s a subject of intense scrutiny around the world, not just because it’s a hallmark of China’s soft power but also because of the amount of data that TikTok collects.

As a result, the company could be sitting on an appalling amount of user data. TikTok's 15-second videos were quite the rage a few months back. They were one of the most popular social media apps. Tiktok was a massive hit among young adults but, now the company faces a backlash.

Tiktok has been banned in India and other rivals of China like the United States might ban it too and it's not just diplomacy that’s driving this "techlash". Security researchers have looked under the hood of TikTok as they fear the app is a data collection service masquerading as a social network.

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Apart from details about every video you watch, Tiktok has full knowledge of what you do on the app. It knows the contents of the private messages exchanged on the platform and according to the app’s privacy policy in the US, TikTok collects country location, internet address and the type of device a user possess.

TikTok can also map the exact location, access phone contacts, age, phone number and other social network connections. &nbsp;In June, more criticism came Tiktok’s way after it was found that the app was snooping on the clipboards of users. The feature allows someone to copy and paste data from one app to another. These privacy concerns have led to lawsuits. Last year, a class-action lawsuit was filed against TikTok in California.

TikTok’s Chinese origins don’t help either. Under China’s security law, the company will have to share user data, if the Chinese government demands it. The threat of snooping has led to several bans on TikTok

Beyond India, the US army and navy have banned it. The Australian defence department had banned Tiktok in January. Earlier this month, TikTok was banned from all American government-issued phones. Now, the Trump administration is mulling a complete ban.

"With respect to TikTok, I want to put it in the broader context. We have been engaged in a constant evaluation about ensuring that we protect the privacy of American citizens and their information as it transits, so this doesn't relate to any one particular business or company but rather to American national security, and we are striving to get that right," US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said.

A lawmaker in Australia wants Tiktok banned too even if the app is banned, there is another major concern. Data already collected by Tiktok will remain stored with the company something that could still be accessed by anyone who has access to the servers of TikTok.

TikTok’s troubles started with India but now it’s a subject of intense scrutiny around the world, not just because it’s a hallmark of China’s soft power but also because of the amount of data that TikTok collects.

TikTok’s troubles started with India but now it’s a subject of intense scrutiny around the world, not just because it’s a hallmark of China’s soft power but also because of the amount of data that TikTok collects. As a result, the company could be sitting on an appalling amount of user data. TikTok's 15-second videos were quite the rage a few months back. They were one of the most popular social media apps. Tiktok was a massive hit among young adults but, now the company faces a backlash. Tiktok has been banned in India and other rivals of China like the United States might ban it too and it's not just diplomacy that’s driving this "techlash". Security researchers have looked under the hood of TikTok as they fear the app is a data collection service masquerading as a social network. × Apart from details about every video you watch, Tiktok has full knowledge of what you do on the app. It knows the contents of the private messages exchanged on the platform and according to the app’s privacy policy in the US, TikTok collects country location, internet address and the type of device a user possess. TikTok can also map the exact location, access phone contacts, age, phone number and other social network connections. In June, more criticism came Tiktok’s way after it was found that the app was snooping on the clipboards of users. The feature allows someone to copy and paste data from one app to another. These privacy concerns have led to lawsuits. Last year, a class-action lawsuit was filed against TikTok in California. TikTok’s Chinese origins don’t help either. Under China’s security law, the company will have to share user data, if the Chinese government demands it. The threat of snooping has led to several bans on TikTok Beyond India, the US army and navy have banned it. The Australian defence department had banned Tiktok in January. Earlier this month, TikTok was banned from all American government-issued phones. Now, the Trump administration is mulling a complete ban. "With respect to TikTok, I want to put it in the broader context. We have been engaged in a constant evaluation about ensuring that we protect the privacy of American citizens and their information as it transits, so this doesn't relate to any one particular business or company but rather to American national security, and we are striving to get that right," US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said. A lawmaker in Australia wants Tiktok banned too even if the app is banned, there is another major concern. Data already collected by Tiktok will remain stored with the company something that could still be accessed by anyone who has access to the servers of TikTok.

Despite ban, TikTok's data mapping tools can still fetch user information

A US government national security review of the social media app TikTok is nearly complete and will deliver a recommendation to the White House this week, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Wednesday.

The comments marked the first time the US&nbsp;government has acknowledged that TikTok was under review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which scrutinises deals by foreign acquirers for potential national security risks and is led by Treasury.

"TikTok is under CFIUS review and we'll be making a recommendation to the president on it this week," Mnuchin said. "We have lots of alternatives."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-republicans-worry-china-might-use-tiktok-to-meddle-in-election-316729" hreflang="en">US Republicans worry China might use TikTok to meddle in election</a>

The news comes amid increasing concerns voiced by US officials and lawmakers about TikTok's links to China and its potential use for espionage, an allegation consistently dismissed by the company.

In November last year, the app's Chinese parent company, Beijing ByteDance Technology Co was being probed by CFIUS over its $1 billion purchase of social media app Musical.ly, after lawmakers raised concerns over how it stores personal data as well as allegations of censorship.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-lawmakers-to-urge-government-to-put-curbs-on-tiktok-use-316682" hreflang="en">Japan lawmakers to urge government to put curbs on TikTok use</a>

A TikTok representative said the company could not comment on CFIUS matters, but added that TikTok was working to "develop a best-in-class security infrastructure" and promote a safe app experience.

The committee can force ByteDance to unwind the deal, or take other measures to mitigate the national security threat. Reuters reported earlier on Wednesday that ByteDance has received a proposal from some of its investors, including Sequoia and General Atlantic, to transfer majority ownership of TikTok to them. Some ByteDance investors are valuing the popular app at about $50 billion.

Flanked by Mnuchin, President Donald Trump said before leaving the White House on a trip to Texas that "we are looking at TikTok."

The company is under fire in Washington, as relations between the Trump administration and Beijing have grown chilly over the coronavirus and China's moves against Hong Kong. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the administration was considering banning the app, and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said earlier this month that action was coming in weeks.

A US government national security review of the social media app TikTok is nearly complete and will deliver a recommendation to the White House this week, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Wednesday.

A US government national security review of the social media app TikTok is nearly complete and will deliver a recommendation to the White House this week, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Wednesday. The comments marked the first time the US government has acknowledged that TikTok was under review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which scrutinises deals by foreign acquirers for potential national security risks and is led by Treasury. "TikTok is under CFIUS review and we'll be making a recommendation to the president on it this week," Mnuchin said. "We have lots of alternatives." Also read: US Republicans worry China might use TikTok to meddle in election The news comes amid increasing concerns voiced by US officials and lawmakers about TikTok's links to China and its potential use for espionage, an allegation consistently dismissed by the company. In November last year, the app's Chinese parent company, Beijing ByteDance Technology Co was being probed by CFIUS over its $1 billion purchase of social media app Musical.ly, after lawmakers raised concerns over how it stores personal data as well as allegations of censorship. Also read: Japan lawmakers to urge government to put curbs on TikTok use A TikTok representative said the company could not comment on CFIUS matters, but added that TikTok was working to "develop a best-in-class security infrastructure" and promote a safe app experience. The committee can force ByteDance to unwind the deal, or take other measures to mitigate the national security threat. Reuters reported earlier on Wednesday that ByteDance has received a proposal from some of its investors, including Sequoia and General Atlantic, to transfer majority ownership of TikTok to them. Some ByteDance investors are valuing the popular app at about $50 billion. Flanked by Mnuchin, President Donald Trump said before leaving the White House on a trip to Texas that "we are looking at TikTok." The company is under fire in Washington, as relations between the Trump administration and Beijing have grown chilly over the coronavirus and China's moves against Hong Kong. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the administration was considering banning the app, and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said earlier this month that action was coming in weeks.

National security recommendation on TikTok due this week: US Treasury

A group of top Republican US&nbsp;Senators on Tuesday ramped up pressure on TikTok, asking the Trump administration to assess the threat that the popular Chinese-owned video sharing app might meddle in US&nbsp;elections.&nbsp;

In a letter dated Tuesday, Marco Rubio, Tom Cotton and other lawmakers cited alleged censorship by TikTok of sensitive content, including a video critical of China's treatment of its Uighur minority, as well as alleged attempts by Beijing to manipulate political discussions on social media apps.&nbsp;

"We are greatly concerned that the (Chinese Communist Party) could use its control over TikTok to distort or manipulate (political) conversations to sow discord among Americans and to achieve its preferred political outcomes," the lawmakers wrote in a letter to the Office of Director of National Intelligence (ODHI), the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/japan-lawmakers-to-urge-government-to-put-curbs-on-tiktok-use-316682" hreflang="en">Japan lawmakers to urge government to put curbs on TikTok use</a>

A spokesperson for the company said that TikTok, though not a "go-to" for political news, was "proactively investing to safeguard our app" and taking cues from the experience of peers during the last election.

"TikTok already has a strict policy against disinformation, and we don't accept political ads," the person said, adding that content and moderation policies are led by a California-based team and aren't "influenced by any foreign government".&nbsp;

The FBI and DHS did not respond to requests for comment while an ODNI official confirmed receipt of the letter and said "we will respond accordingly."

Chinese foreign spokesman Wang Wenbin, speaking at a daily news conference in Beijing on Wednesday, said that China has no interest in the US&nbsp;election and urged certain people in the United States to stop "suppressing" Chinese companies.

The US&nbsp;lawmakers, joined by Republicans Ted Cruz, Joni Ernst Thom Tilis, Kevin Cramer and Rick Scott, asked the officials to say whether Beijing could amplify certain political views and conduct influence operations through the popular app, which is owned by Beijing ByteDance Technology Co.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/despite-ban-tiktoks-data-mapping-tools-can-still-fetch-user-information-316551" hreflang="en">Despite ban, TikTok's data mapping tools can still fetch user information</a>

"If evidence emerges of CCP electoral interference via TikTok, would ByteDance be eligible for sanctions" under an executive order on foreign electoral influence, the lawmakers asked.

TikTok is in the crosshairs of the Trump administration as U.S.-China ties have soured over the pandemic and Beijing’s move to curb freedoms in Hong Kong. This month, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said action was imminent to address national security risks posed by TikTok.

Trump's poll numbers have been sagging as he prepares to face Democrat Joe Biden in the November election. In 2019, special prosecutor Robert Mueller's report found extensive cases of Russian meddling that benefited the Trump campaign in the 2016 election.

A group of top Republican US Senators on Tuesday ramped up pressure on TikTok, asking the Trump administration to assess the threat that the popular Chinese-owned video sharing app might meddle in US elections.

A group of top Republican US Senators on Tuesday ramped up pressure on TikTok, asking the Trump administration to assess the threat that the popular Chinese-owned video sharing app might meddle in US elections. In a letter dated Tuesday, Marco Rubio, Tom Cotton and other lawmakers cited alleged censorship by TikTok of sensitive content, including a video critical of China's treatment of its Uighur minority, as well as alleged attempts by Beijing to manipulate political discussions on social media apps. "We are greatly concerned that the (Chinese Communist Party) could use its control over TikTok to distort or manipulate (political) conversations to sow discord among Americans and to achieve its preferred political outcomes," the lawmakers wrote in a letter to the Office of Director of National Intelligence (ODHI), the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Also read: Japan lawmakers to urge government to put curbs on TikTok use A spokesperson for the company said that TikTok, though not a "go-to" for political news, was "proactively investing to safeguard our app" and taking cues from the experience of peers during the last election. "TikTok already has a strict policy against disinformation, and we don't accept political ads," the person said, adding that content and moderation policies are led by a California-based team and aren't "influenced by any foreign government". The FBI and DHS did not respond to requests for comment while an ODNI official confirmed receipt of the letter and said "we will respond accordingly." Chinese foreign spokesman Wang Wenbin, speaking at a daily news conference in Beijing on Wednesday, said that China has no interest in the US election and urged certain people in the United States to stop "suppressing" Chinese companies. The US lawmakers, joined by Republicans Ted Cruz, Joni Ernst Thom Tilis, Kevin Cramer and Rick Scott, asked the officials to say whether Beijing could amplify certain political views and conduct influence operations through the popular app, which is owned by Beijing ByteDance Technology Co. Also read: Despite ban, TikTok's data mapping tools can still fetch user information "If evidence emerges of CCP electoral interference via TikTok, would ByteDance be eligible for sanctions" under an executive order on foreign electoral influence, the lawmakers asked. TikTok is in the crosshairs of the Trump administration as U.S.-China ties have soured over the pandemic and Beijing’s move to curb freedoms in Hong Kong. This month, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said action was imminent to address national security risks posed by TikTok. Trump's poll numbers have been sagging as he prepares to face Democrat Joe Biden in the November election. In 2019, special prosecutor Robert Mueller's report found extensive cases of Russian meddling that benefited the Trump campaign in the 2016 election.

US Republicans worry China might use TikTok to meddle in election

Lawmakers from Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party have decided to push for steps to restrict the use of Chinese-owned video app TikTok, concerned that user data may end up in the hands of the Chinese government, public broadcaster NHK said.

A group of lawmakers led by former economy minister Akira Amari made the decision at a meeting on Tuesday and plans to submit a proposal to the government as early as September, NHK reported on Tuesday evening.

TikTok, owned by Beijing ByteDance Technology Co, is facing scrutiny in the United States over concerns that China could force the company to turn over its user data. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said this month action was imminent to address national security risks posed by TikTok.

TikTok has said that it has never provided user data to China and that it would not do so if asked.

The app is also under scrutiny in Australia over potential risks to data privacy, while in India, it was banned in late June along with 58 other Chinese-origin apps considered a threat to national security.&nbsp;

Lawmakers from Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party have decided to push for steps to restrict the use of Chinese-owned video app TikTok, concerned that user data may end up in the hands of the Chinese government, public broadcaster NHK said.

Lawmakers from Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party have decided to push for steps to restrict the use of Chinese-owned video app TikTok, concerned that user data may end up in the hands of the Chinese government, public broadcaster NHK said. A group of lawmakers led by former economy minister Akira Amari made the decision at a meeting on Tuesday and plans to submit a proposal to the government as early as September, NHK reported on Tuesday evening. TikTok, owned by Beijing ByteDance Technology Co, is facing scrutiny in the United States over concerns that China could force the company to turn over its user data. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said this month action was imminent to address national security risks posed by TikTok. TikTok has said that it has never provided user data to China and that it would not do so if asked. The app is also under scrutiny in Australia over potential risks to data privacy, while in India, it was banned in late June along with 58 other Chinese-origin apps considered a threat to national security.

Japan lawmakers to urge government to put curbs on TikTok use

India has banned 47 Chinese apps which were clones of 59 Chinese apps which were banned in June. These include TikTok Lite,&nbsp;Cam Scanner advance.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-authorities-take-possession-of-closed-us-consulate-in-chengdu-foreign-ministry-316173">Chinese authorities take possession of closed US consulate in Chengdu</a>

Order was issued on Friday. The comes even has Indian govt tighten rule for Chinese companies to invest in India. Last week India amended&nbsp;General Financial Rules 2017 making it difficult for Chinese companies to be part of govt procurement.

The order said,"Any&nbsp;bidder from countries sharing a land border with India will be eligible to bid in any procurement whether of goods, services (including consultancy services and non-consultancy services) or works (including turnkey projects)&nbsp;only if the bidder is registered with the Competent Authority."

The Competent Authority for registration will be the Registration Committee constituted by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Political and security clearance from the Ministries of External and Home Affairs respectively will be mandatory.

On June 29, India&nbsp;banned 59 Chinese apps including popular tiktok app after a violent face-off at Line Of Actual Contol in Eastern Ladakh in which 20 Indian soldiers died.&nbsp;Chinese forces also suffered casualties but haven't come out with a number.

India has banned 47 Chinese apps which were clones of 59 Chinese apps which were banned in June. These include TikTok Lite, Cam Scanner advance. Also read: Chinese authorities take possession of closed US consulate in Chengdu Order was issued on Friday.

India has banned 47 Chinese apps which were clones of 59 Chinese apps which were banned in June. These include TikTok Lite, Cam Scanner advance. Also read: Chinese authorities take possession of closed US consulate in Chengdu Order was issued on Friday. The comes even has Indian govt tighten rule for Chinese companies to invest in India. Last week India amended General Financial Rules 2017 making it difficult for Chinese companies to be part of govt procurement. The order said,"Any bidder from countries sharing a land border with India will be eligible to bid in any procurement whether of goods, services (including consultancy services and non-consultancy services) or works (including turnkey projects) only if the bidder is registered with the Competent Authority." The Competent Authority for registration will be the Registration Committee constituted by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Political and security clearance from the Ministries of External and Home Affairs respectively will be mandatory. On June 29, India banned 59 Chinese apps including popular tiktok app after a violent face-off at Line Of Actual Contol in Eastern Ladakh in which 20 Indian soldiers died. Chinese forces also suffered casualties but haven't come out with a number.

India bans 47 Chinese apps that were clones of the 59 apps banned in June

Close to 200 Chinese investment proposals are awaiting security clearance from India's Home Ministry. This comes after India changed its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rules in the month of April.

WION Dispatch: New rules to hit Chinese firms amid border tensions

The government has banned 47 Chinese apps in India. Near the end of June, 59 Chinese apps had been banned by the government to “protect national interest and security”

Govt bans 47 more Chinese apps in India after 59 apps banned in June

A U.S. Senate panel has approved a bill which bars all govt employees from downloading or using Tiktok. Is the Chinese app headed for an all-incorporating ban in America? WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay gets you a report.

Gravitas: Will America be next to ban TikTok?

TikTok is indeed China's global soft power.&nbsp;

For some, the app is a harmless video-sharing platform to encouarge hidden talent. However, many people see it as a platform for vulgarity and a national security threat.&nbsp;

Weeks after India officially banned TikTok, the US is thinking on similar lines.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-will-america-be-next-to-ban-tiktok-315822/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The US fears that the data of their citizens is being used by China.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/tiktok-launches-200-million-fund-for-us-creators-despite-senate-ban-315622">TikTok launches $200 million fund for US creators despite Senate ban</a>

Earlier this week, a US Senate approved a bill, which bars federal employees from downloading and using TikTok. It is titled: 'No TikTok on Government Devices Act'.&nbsp;

This means no member or employee of the US Congress, government corporation will be allowed to download TikTok.&nbsp;

Not just TikTok, they are not allowed to download any app developed by TikTok's parent company ByteDance.&nbsp;

So far, the ban is limited to government employees, but there is a rising demand in US that a similar measure should be adopted for the entire American population.&nbsp;

For TikTok, America is its third largest market and the nation contributed to 8 per cent of the company's overall installations between January and June.&nbsp;

They cannot afford another major ouster and so they are presenting a more friendly face. They are injecting more cash to win hearts to the Americans.&nbsp;

TikTok has introduced a $200 million fund to reward American creators, known as TikTok Creator Fund.&nbsp;

The video-creating app will start accepting applications from August 18.&nbsp;

TikTok owners say under this fund, they will offer payouts to influencers who meet a certain baseline for the number of followers. It is also promising to help them collaborate on paid campaigns with brands.&nbsp;

This move is also meant to send out a message to countries like India that have already banned TikTok.&nbsp;

For weeks, the Chinese state media has been pushing propaganda stories about Indian TikTok stars going out of work with the decision by the government.&nbsp;

One article by Global Times headline said: "Indian app users, influencers baffled, hurt by ban of China's TikTok".&nbsp;

They use words like "hurt" and "baffled", which was felt by all the Indians after the Galwan Valley incident in Ladakh, in which 20 Indian Army personnel were martyred.&nbsp;

The Wuhan virus has "baffled" global economies, "hurt" investors, businesses and made thousands jobless, apart from killing millions.&nbsp;

As many as 213 countries and territories have been "hurt" and "baffled" by this pandemic.&nbsp;

Several of these countries are reimposing lockdowns keeping in mind a surge in new cases.&nbsp;

And only one nation has to be blamed for this, whose media gives sermons to India on how not to "hurt" and "baffle" others.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

TikTok is indeed China's global soft power. For some, the app is a harmless video-sharing platform to encouarge hidden talent. However, many people see it as a platform for vulgarity and a national security threat.

TikTok is indeed China's global soft power. For some, the app is a harmless video-sharing platform to encouarge hidden talent. However, many people see it as a platform for vulgarity and a national security threat. Weeks after India officially banned TikTok, the US is thinking on similar lines. Watch | The US fears that the data of their citizens is being used by China. Also read | TikTok launches $200 million fund for US creators despite Senate ban Earlier this week, a US Senate approved a bill, which bars federal employees from downloading and using TikTok. It is titled: 'No TikTok on Government Devices Act'. This means no member or employee of the US Congress, government corporation will be allowed to download TikTok. Not just TikTok, they are not allowed to download any app developed by TikTok's parent company ByteDance. So far, the ban is limited to government employees, but there is a rising demand in US that a similar measure should be adopted for the entire American population. For TikTok, America is its third largest market and the nation contributed to 8 per cent of the company's overall installations between January and June. They cannot afford another major ouster and so they are presenting a more friendly face. They are injecting more cash to win hearts to the Americans. TikTok has introduced a $200 million fund to reward American creators, known as TikTok Creator Fund. The video-creating app will start accepting applications from August 18. TikTok owners say under this fund, they will offer payouts to influencers who meet a certain baseline for the number of followers. It is also promising to help them collaborate on paid campaigns with brands. This move is also meant to send out a message to countries like India that have already banned TikTok. For weeks, the Chinese state media has been pushing propaganda stories about Indian TikTok stars going out of work with the decision by the government. One article by Global Times headline said: "Indian app users, influencers baffled, hurt by ban of China's TikTok". They use words like "hurt" and "baffled", which was felt by all the Indians after the Galwan Valley incident in Ladakh, in which 20 Indian Army personnel were martyred. The Wuhan virus has "baffled" global economies, "hurt" investors, businesses and made thousands jobless, apart from killing millions. As many as 213 countries and territories have been "hurt" and "baffled" by this pandemic. Several of these countries are reimposing lockdowns keeping in mind a surge in new cases. And only one nation has to be blamed for this, whose media gives sermons to India on how not to "hurt" and "baffle" others.

TikTok tries to lure US, send India a message: But who really got 'hurt', 'baffled'?

TikTok unveiled plans for a $200 million "creator fund" to add content from emerging social media personalities to the fast-growing video-sharing app.

The new US fund will "help support ambitious creators who are seeking opportunities to foster a livelihood through their innovative content," said Vanessa Pappas, general manager of TikTok US.

The move comes with TikTok seeing strong momentum, especially among young smartphone users, even as US lawmakers and officials step up warnings about its links to China.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senate-committee-approves-bill-banning-tiktok-for-federal-employees-315221">US Senate Committee approves bill banning TikTok for federal employees</a>

Pappas said that with the fund, "our creators will be able to realize additional earnings that help reward the care and dedication they put into creatively connecting with an audience that's inspired by their ideas."

The fund will be open in August to US applicants 18 years or older who have a platform following, and post original content in line with its community guidelines. 
The move could help ramp up interest in TikTok, which has seen its user base grow to an estimated one billion.

Until now, TikTok has been using the model of Facebook-owned Instagram, which allows creators to post sponsored videos but without direct remuneration from the platform.

TikTok said this week it plans to add some 10,000 US jobs over the next three years, as it battles complaints over its ties to China.

A unit of China-based holding ByteDance, TikTok has been banned in India and US officials have said they were looking at possible actions against the app.

The US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs&nbsp;unanimously voted on Wednesday to approve a bill to ban federal employees from using China's video-sharing app TikTok on government-issued devices.&nbsp;

Amid reports of a possible spinoff or buyout of the app, TikTok has said the company's structure is under review.

TikTok unveiled plans for a $200 million "creator fund" to add content from emerging social media personalities to the fast-growing video-sharing app. The new US fund will "help support ambitious creators who are seeking opportunities to foster a livelihood through their innovative content," said Vanessa Pappas, general manager of TikTok US.

TikTok unveiled plans for a $200 million "creator fund" to add content from emerging social media personalities to the fast-growing video-sharing app. The new US fund will "help support ambitious creators who are seeking opportunities to foster a livelihood through their innovative content," said Vanessa Pappas, general manager of TikTok US. The move comes with TikTok seeing strong momentum, especially among young smartphone users, even as US lawmakers and officials step up warnings about its links to China. Also read: US Senate Committee approves bill banning TikTok for federal employees Pappas said that with the fund, "our creators will be able to realize additional earnings that help reward the care and dedication they put into creatively connecting with an audience that's inspired by their ideas." The fund will be open in August to US applicants 18 years or older who have a platform following, and post original content in line with its community guidelines. The move could help ramp up interest in TikTok, which has seen its user base grow to an estimated one billion. Until now, TikTok has been using the model of Facebook-owned Instagram, which allows creators to post sponsored videos but without direct remuneration from the platform. TikTok said this week it plans to add some 10,000 US jobs over the next three years, as it battles complaints over its ties to China. A unit of China-based holding ByteDance, TikTok has been banned in India and US officials have said they were looking at possible actions against the app. The US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs unanimously voted on Wednesday to approve a bill to ban federal employees from using China's video-sharing app TikTok on government-issued devices. Amid reports of a possible spinoff or buyout of the app, TikTok has said the company's structure is under review.

TikTok launches $200 million fund for US creators despite Senate ban

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign affairs is holding a press conference on US-China relations. Beijing calls the closure of a 'political provocation'. China will be closing the US consulate in Wuhan.

China's relations with US head South: TikTok banned from US govt devices

After banning 59 apps of Chinese origin, the government on Tuesday directed them to ensure strict compliance to its orders, and warned of serious action in case of any violation, according to an official source.

The government of India on Tuesday directed the parent companies of 59 banned apps of China to ensure strict compliance to its orders, and warned of serious action in case of any violation, according to an official source.

The government source told PTI that the IT Ministry has now written to all these companies, warning that continued availability and operation of these banned apps, directly or indirectly, is not only illegal but also an offence under the Information Technology Act and other applicable Acts, which would attract penal provisions.

If any app in the banned list is found to be made available by the company through any means for use within India, directly or indirectly, it would be construed as a violation of the government orders, the source added.

On June 29 Indian government had banned 59 apps with Chinese links, including TikTok, CamScanner and UC Browser, saying they were prejudicial to sovereignty, integrity and security of the country.

"This move will safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users. This decision is a targeted move to ensure safety and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace," Ministry of Electronics and IT had said.

(With inputs from PTI)

After banning 59 apps of Chinese origin, the government on Tuesday directed them to ensure strict compliance to its orders, and warned of serious action in case of any violation, according to an official source.

After banning 59 apps of Chinese origin, the government on Tuesday directed them to ensure strict compliance to its orders, and warned of serious action in case of any violation, according to an official source. The government of India on Tuesday directed the parent companies of 59 banned apps of China to ensure strict compliance to its orders, and warned of serious action in case of any violation, according to an official source. The government source told PTI that the IT Ministry has now written to all these companies, warning that continued availability and operation of these banned apps, directly or indirectly, is not only illegal but also an offence under the Information Technology Act and other applicable Acts, which would attract penal provisions. If any app in the banned list is found to be made available by the company through any means for use within India, directly or indirectly, it would be construed as a violation of the government orders, the source added. On June 29 Indian government had banned 59 apps with Chinese links, including TikTok, CamScanner and UC Browser, saying they were prejudicial to sovereignty, integrity and security of the country. "This move will safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users. This decision is a targeted move to ensure safety and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace," Ministry of Electronics and IT had said. (With inputs from PTI)

Ensure strict compliance with ban or face action: India to 59 banned Chinese apps

An adviser to US President Donald Trump has claimed that TikTok could break away from its Chinese parent to avoid a ban. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you how companies that called China their home are moving away.

Gravitas: Will TikTok distance itself from China?

Hard days for the video-sharing app TikTok are not coming to an end. After India banned the app and the US is looking at a possible ban, Australia too has expressed concern over app's&nbsp;safety issues.

TikTok is owned by a Chinese company called ByteDance and has been alleged of sharing customer data with the Chinese government.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tiktok-in-talks-with-uk-government-for-new-headquarters-in-london-sources-314485">Also read|&nbsp;TikTok in talks with UK government for new headquarters in London: Sources</a>

The company opened an office in Australia in the&nbsp;recent weeks. After the new office was established, offices of both the Home Affairs and Attorney-General are discussing TikTok's operations, the sources said.

Talking about how the government is strictly looking at the privacy issues,&nbsp;Prime Minister Scott Morrison said,&nbsp;"If we consider there is a need to take further action than we are taking now, then I can tell you we won`t be shy about it."

This scrutiny has come after Labor Senator Jenny McAllister urged the government to look into the app's data-sharing app noting that noting 1.6 million young Australians used the app. "Some of these approaches to moderating content might be inconsistent with Australian values," she said in a local radio interview.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/tiktok-may-leave-chinese-parent-company-to-avoid-us-ban-trump-adviser-313981">Also read|&nbsp;TikTok may leave Chinese parent company to avoid US ban: Trump adviser</a>

"For example, removing material about Tiananmen Square, or deprioritising material about Hong Kong protests," she added, referring to student protests in Beijing in 1989 and pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong over the past year.

However, TikTok Australia's&nbsp;General Manager Lee Hunter has written to the Australian government assuring that the company will cooperate, but also raised concern that the app&nbsp;was "being used as a political football".

Hard days for the video-sharing app TikTok are not coming to an end. After India banned the app and the US is looking at a possible ban, Australia too has expressed concern over app's safety issues.

Hard days for the video-sharing app TikTok are not coming to an end. After India banned the app and the US is looking at a possible ban, Australia too has expressed concern over app's safety issues. TikTok is owned by a Chinese company called ByteDance and has been alleged of sharing customer data with the Chinese government. Also read| TikTok in talks with UK government for new headquarters in London: Sources The company opened an office in Australia in the recent weeks. After the new office was established, offices of both the Home Affairs and Attorney-General are discussing TikTok's operations, the sources said. Talking about how the government is strictly looking at the privacy issues, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, "If we consider there is a need to take further action than we are taking now, then I can tell you we won`t be shy about it." This scrutiny has come after Labor Senator Jenny McAllister urged the government to look into the app's data-sharing app noting that noting 1.6 million young Australians used the app. "Some of these approaches to moderating content might be inconsistent with Australian values," she said in a local radio interview. Also read| TikTok may leave Chinese parent company to avoid US ban: Trump adviser "For example, removing material about Tiananmen Square, or deprioritising material about Hong Kong protests," she added, referring to student protests in Beijing in 1989 and pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong over the past year. However, TikTok Australia's General Manager Lee Hunter has written to the Australian government assuring that the company will cooperate, but also raised concern that the app was "being used as a political football".

TikTok faces scrutiny in Australia after India and US raise question on data security

Amid the recent controversies&nbsp;of data sharing and ownership by Chinese company, TikTok is now looking for a new place to park their headquarter offices at.

As per few reports, the multimedia sharing app has been in talks with the UK government to establish their new headquarters in the capital city London.

The move is being understood as yet another try of the company to distance itself from the controversies surrounding it regarding its Chinese ownership.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/tiktok-may-leave-chinese-parent-company-to-avoid-us-ban-trump-adviser-313981">Also read|&nbsp;TikTok may leave Chinese parent company to avoid US ban: Trump adviser</a>

Sources have revealed that London is one of many destinations that the company is looking at. However, no final decision has been taken yet.

No other name of any other city has been revealed. However, some believe that California may be one of the desired locations as the company has hired quite a lot of employees in state of California this year, including poaching Kevin Mayer, a former Walt Disney Co executive, to be TikTok’s chief executive. He is based in the United States.

California is also a desired location as a strategy to put an end to the controversies floating around in the US regarding its possible ban in the country due to its&nbsp;Chinese ownership.

The company, which is already banned in India, is owned by Chinese company called ByteDance.

TikTok has not issued any official statement regarding this, and has refused the request of a comment to various local media organisations.

Amid the recent controversies of data sharing and ownership by Chinese company, TikTok is now looking for a new place to park their headquarter offices at. As per few reports, the multimedia sharing app has been in talks with the UK government to establish their new headquarters in the capital city London.

Amid the recent controversies of data sharing and ownership by Chinese company, TikTok is now looking for a new place to park their headquarter offices at. As per few reports, the multimedia sharing app has been in talks with the UK government to establish their new headquarters in the capital city London. The move is being understood as yet another try of the company to distance itself from the controversies surrounding it regarding its Chinese ownership. Also read| TikTok may leave Chinese parent company to avoid US ban: Trump adviser Sources have revealed that London is one of many destinations that the company is looking at. However, no final decision has been taken yet. No other name of any other city has been revealed. However, some believe that California may be one of the desired locations as the company has hired quite a lot of employees in state of California this year, including poaching Kevin Mayer, a former Walt Disney Co executive, to be TikTok’s chief executive. He is based in the United States. California is also a desired location as a strategy to put an end to the controversies floating around in the US regarding its possible ban in the country due to its Chinese ownership. The company, which is already banned in India, is owned by Chinese company called ByteDance. TikTok has not issued any official statement regarding this, and has refused the request of a comment to various local media organisations.

TikTok in talks with UK government for new headquarters in London: Sources

After being blamed for spreading the coronavirus in the whole world, Chinese technology companies have become an easy target.

Huawei is facing bans,&nbsp;Chinese apps are being boycotted and now&nbsp;the US could be taking inspiration from India on banning Chinese mobile applications.

The US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo&nbsp;had earlier indicated that he could ban Chinese apps such as TikTok. Due to the spreading hatred towards TikTok, its parents company Bytedance could consider selling off TikTok and the White House believes it is possible.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/tiktok-may-leave-chinese-parent-company-to-avoid-us-ban-trump-adviser-313981">Also read|&nbsp;TikTok may leave Chinese parent company to avoid US ban: Trump adviser</a>

Economic adviser Larry Kudlow believes that bleeding Bytedance could cut off its hand to save itself.

“We haven’t made final decisions [on the ban] but as has been reported in some places, I think TikTok is going to pull out of the holding company which is China-run and operate as an independent company,” Kudlow said.

In such a situation, TikTok could slip out of the clutches of the Communist Party.&nbsp;TikTok’s ban is an economic loss for China —&nbsp;something that adds to a long list of troubles for the Communist Party.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-will-tiktok-distance-itself-from-china-314140/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The impact of coronavirus on China’s economy was immense and has triggered a major job&nbsp;crisis.&nbsp;This summer&nbsp;more than eight million Chinese students are set to graduate&nbsp;and are in search of jobs. However, China doesn’t have enough jobs right now.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/india-china-standoff-indian-paratroopers-conduct-air-exercise-in-ladakh-314080">Have a look|&nbsp;India-China standoff: Indian paratroopers conduct air exercise in Ladakh</a>

According to the official data, the urban unemployment rate was around 5.7 per cent in June. It is believed that the&nbsp;actual numbers could be much worse. According to a report, 80 million service sector employees and 20 million manufacturing jobs have been affected by the coronavirus.

In addition, companies are moving out of China. Apple’s supplier Foxconn has announced its plans for India. The manufacturer for iPhones and iPads will invest one billion dollars over the next three years and the money will go towards Foxconn’s plant in Tamil Nadu.

For now, this facility produces lower end variants of the iPhone. After the investment, the plant will make other iPhone models that are produced in China.

Until now, China was facing the threat&nbsp;of economic distancing from the world. However, now companies that called China their home are moving away.

After being blamed for spreading the coronavirus in the whole world, Chinese technology companies have become an easy target. Huawei is facing bans, Chinese apps are being boycotted and now the US could be taking inspiration from India on banning Chinese mobile applications.

After being blamed for spreading the coronavirus in the whole world, Chinese technology companies have become an easy target. Huawei is facing bans, Chinese apps are being boycotted and now the US could be taking inspiration from India on banning Chinese mobile applications. The US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo had earlier indicated that he could ban Chinese apps such as TikTok. Due to the spreading hatred towards TikTok, its parents company Bytedance could consider selling off TikTok and the White House believes it is possible. Also read| TikTok may leave Chinese parent company to avoid US ban: Trump adviser Economic adviser Larry Kudlow believes that bleeding Bytedance could cut off its hand to save itself. “We haven’t made final decisions [on the ban] but as has been reported in some places, I think TikTok is going to pull out of the holding company which is China-run and operate as an independent company,” Kudlow said. In such a situation, TikTok could slip out of the clutches of the Communist Party. TikTok’s ban is an economic loss for China — something that adds to a long list of troubles for the Communist Party. The impact of coronavirus on China’s economy was immense and has triggered a major job crisis. This summer more than eight million Chinese students are set to graduate and are in search of jobs. However, China doesn’t have enough jobs right now. Have a look| India-China standoff: Indian paratroopers conduct air exercise in Ladakh According to the official data, the urban unemployment rate was around 5.7 per cent in June. It is believed that the actual numbers could be much worse. According to a report, 80 million service sector employees and 20 million manufacturing jobs have been affected by the coronavirus. In addition, companies are moving out of China. Apple’s supplier Foxconn has announced its plans for India. The manufacturer for iPhones and iPads will invest one billion dollars over the next three years and the money will go towards Foxconn’s plant in Tamil Nadu. For now, this facility produces lower end variants of the iPhone. After the investment, the plant will make other iPhone models that are produced in China. Until now, China was facing the threat of economic distancing from the world. However, now companies that called China their home are moving away.

As Chinese tech giants become global targets, Bytedance may sell off TikTok

US President Donald Trump's economic adviser Larry Kudlow has said that TikTok may cut off ties to its Chinese parent and become a 100 per cent American company to circumvent demands to ban it as India has done. 
 
"I think TikTok is going to pull out of the holding company which is China-run and operate as an independent American company," he told reporters at the White House on Thursday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-attorney-general-blasts-american-firms-for-kowtowing-to-beijing-313919">US attorney general blasts American firms for 'kowtowing' to Beijing</a>

The US has not made a final decision on whether to ban it, which has been suggested by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, he said. 
 
TikTok being divested by ByteDance Technology Company "is a much better solution than banning or pushing away", said Kudlow, who is the Director of the National Economic Council.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-action-on-risks-posed-by-tiktok-likely-in-weeks-white-house-313604">Trump administration action on risks posed by TikTok likely 'in weeks': White House</a>

He said that its services will be located in the US and "it will become an hundred per cent American company". 
 
If it becomes a US company without Chinese links, India may have to reconsider the ban on the short video app wildly popular in the country. 
 
India banned TikTok along with 58 other Chinese apps on June 29 citing threats to its defence and national security. 
 
The ban came after a deadly clash between Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh. 
 
Under Beijing's National Security Law, all Chinese companies have to provide intelligence requested by the government, creating risks for users and their countries. 
 
India was TikTok's biggest market outside of China, where it operates as Douyin. There were about 200 million users in India and over 300 million downloads. The United States comes next with over 30 million users for the app.

US President Donald Trump's economic adviser Larry Kudlow has said that TikTok may cut off ties to its Chinese parent and become a 100 per cent American company to circumvent demands to ban it as India has done.

US President Donald Trump's economic adviser Larry Kudlow has said that TikTok may cut off ties to its Chinese parent and become a 100 per cent American company to circumvent demands to ban it as India has done. "I think TikTok is going to pull out of the holding company which is China-run and operate as an independent American company," he told reporters at the White House on Thursday. Also read: US attorney general blasts American firms for 'kowtowing' to Beijing The US has not made a final decision on whether to ban it, which has been suggested by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, he said. TikTok being divested by ByteDance Technology Company "is a much better solution than banning or pushing away", said Kudlow, who is the Director of the National Economic Council. Also read| Trump administration action on risks posed by TikTok likely 'in weeks': White House He said that its services will be located in the US and "it will become an hundred per cent American company". If it becomes a US company without Chinese links, India may have to reconsider the ban on the short video app wildly popular in the country. India banned TikTok along with 58 other Chinese apps on June 29 citing threats to its defence and national security. The ban came after a deadly clash between Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh. Under Beijing's National Security Law, all Chinese companies have to provide intelligence requested by the government, creating risks for users and their countries. India was TikTok's biggest market outside of China, where it operates as Douyin. There were about 200 million users in India and over 300 million downloads. The United States comes next with over 30 million users for the app.

TikTok may leave Chinese parent company to avoid US ban: Trump adviser

A telecommunication regulator in South Korea has fined video-sharing app TikTok for 186 million Won or roughly $1,55,000 for mishandling children's data, amid growing concerns about users' privacy.

The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) began the investigation into this matter back in October 2019 and found that TikTok collected that data of children under the age of 14 without consent from their legal guardians, reports Gizmochina.

The fine is equivalent to 3 per cent of the company's annual sales in South Korea, an amount designated for such violations under local privacy laws.

TikTok currently uses four cloud companies to store its data -- Alibaba Cloud, Fastly, Edgecast, and Firebase. South Korean user data is stored on servers run by Alibaba Cloud, which are based in the US and Singapore.

Last month, India banned 59 Chinese apps including TikTok, citing national security concerns, similar to the US Army back in January. Earlier this month, TikTok announced that it was exiting the Hong Kong market after the enforcement of new security laws by China. 
&nbsp;

A telecommunication regulator in South Korea has fined video-sharing app TikTok for 186 million Won or roughly $1,55,000 for mishandling children's data, amid growing concerns about users' privacy.

A telecommunication regulator in South Korea has fined video-sharing app TikTok for 186 million Won or roughly $1,55,000 for mishandling children's data, amid growing concerns about users' privacy. The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) began the investigation into this matter back in October 2019 and found that TikTok collected that data of children under the age of 14 without consent from their legal guardians, reports Gizmochina. The fine is equivalent to 3 per cent of the company's annual sales in South Korea, an amount designated for such violations under local privacy laws. TikTok currently uses four cloud companies to store its data -- Alibaba Cloud, Fastly, Edgecast, and Firebase. South Korean user data is stored on servers run by Alibaba Cloud, which are based in the US and Singapore. Last month, India banned 59 Chinese apps including TikTok, citing national security concerns, similar to the US Army back in January. Earlier this month, TikTok announced that it was exiting the Hong Kong market after the enforcement of new security laws by China.

South Korean regulator fines TikTok over mishandling child data

A plea has been filed in the lahore high court demanding an immediate ban on&nbsp;Tiktok.&nbsp; It has been filed by a certain Nadeem Sarwar,&nbsp;an advocate who moved the application on behalf of a civilian.

The petition states&nbsp;Tiktok is disastrous for the youth and how it would prove harmful to Pakistan's social fabric.

On June 21, a 17-year-old accidentally shot and killed himself while filming a clip on Tiktok in Karachi. Meanwhile, two days ago, agirl was gang-raped by three men who she had befriended on TikTok. She had known the men for just 20 days and decided to meet them but she was kidnapped and raped on gunpoint inside a car.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-can-pakistan-afford-to-ban-tiktok-313543/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

There are more such cases but Pakistan won't ban this chinese app and it&nbsp;cannot afford to as it's a matter of bread and butter for the country.&nbsp;

China is pumping money into pakistan's economy so much that Imran Khan has vowed to 'complete CPEC projects at all costs'.

According to Pakistan Prime Minister&nbsp;the CPEC is a manifestation of Pakistan-China friendship and the government will complete it at any cost and bring its fruit to every Pakistani.

According to pak media reports,&nbsp;a bill has been proposed by Islamabad to give 'sweeping administrative and financial powers' to CPEC authority.This bill clips the wings of the CPEC&nbsp;planning ministry by transferring power from parliamentarians to unelected officials.&nbsp;

.According to this bill, CPEC authority will now be under the direct supervision of the Pakistani prime minister but there are limits even to the role of the prime minister.&nbsp;

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is now set to be completely Chinese. Asking Khan to ban a Chinese app would be asking for too much.

A plea has been filed in the lahore high court demanding an immediate ban on Tiktok. It has been filed by a certain Nadeem Sarwar, an advocate who moved the application on behalf of a civilian.

A plea has been filed in the lahore high court demanding an immediate ban on Tiktok. It has been filed by a certain Nadeem Sarwar, an advocate who moved the application on behalf of a civilian. The petition states Tiktok is disastrous for the youth and how it would prove harmful to Pakistan's social fabric. On June 21, a 17-year-old accidentally shot and killed himself while filming a clip on Tiktok in Karachi. Meanwhile, two days ago, agirl was gang-raped by three men who she had befriended on TikTok. She had known the men for just 20 days and decided to meet them but she was kidnapped and raped on gunpoint inside a car. There are more such cases but Pakistan won't ban this chinese app and it cannot afford to as it's a matter of bread and butter for the country. China is pumping money into pakistan's economy so much that Imran Khan has vowed to 'complete CPEC projects at all costs'. According to Pakistan Prime Minister the CPEC is a manifestation of Pakistan-China friendship and the government will complete it at any cost and bring its fruit to every Pakistani. According to pak media reports, a bill has been proposed by Islamabad to give 'sweeping administrative and financial powers' to CPEC authority.This bill clips the wings of the CPEC planning ministry by transferring power from parliamentarians to unelected officials. .According to this bill, CPEC authority will now be under the direct supervision of the Pakistani prime minister but there are limits even to the role of the prime minister. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is now set to be completely Chinese. Asking Khan to ban a Chinese app would be asking for too much.

Why asking Pakistan government to ban Tiktok is asking for too much

President Donald Trump’s administration is studying the national security risks of social media applications including TikTok and WeChat, with action to address the issue expected in the coming weeks, a White House official said on Wednesday.&nbsp;

“There are a number of ... administration officials who are looking at the national security risk as it relates to TikTok, WeChat and other apps that have the potential for national security exposure, specifically as it relates to the gathering of information on American citizens by a foreign adversary,” White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told reporters en route to Washington from Georgia.

“I don’t know that there’s any self-imposed deadline in terms of action, but I would say that we’re looking at weeks, not months,” he added.

TikTok defended its security practices in a statement, saying: “We are fully committed to protecting our users’ privacy and security.

“TikTok has an American CEO, a Chief Information Security Officer with decades of US military and law enforcement experience, and a growing US team that works diligently to develop a best-in-class security infrastructure. TikTok US user data is stored in Virginia and Singapore, with strict controls on employee access. These are the facts,” the statement said.

WeChat owner Tencent did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The comments come as TikTok, a popular short video-sharing app owned by Beijing ByteDance Technology Co, finds itself increasingly in the crosshairs of the Trump administration as US-China ties sour over the coronavirus pandemic and Beijing’s move to curb freedoms in Hong Kong.

Earlier this month, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was “certainly looking at” banning Chinese social media apps, including TikTok, but offered no further details.

On Wednesday, the New York Times reported the administration was weighing action against Chinese social media services like TikTok under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which gives the president broad powers to penalize companies in response to extraordinary threats, citing people familiar with the matter.

But the administration was already looking into the company, after lawmakers called for a probe over concerns it could be censoring politically sensitive content and failing to safely store personal data.&nbsp;

Reuters reported last November that a powerful US government committee known as CFIUS had launched a national security review of Bytedance’s $1 billion acquisition of US social media app Musical.ly.

Meadows offered little detail about the mechanisms under consideration to respond to any threats posed by TikTok, but noted that the CFIUS review was perhaps on a parallel tract.

WeChat, a chat app owned by Tencent Holdings Ltd, a Chinese gaming and social media group, has received less scrutiny in Washington.

President Donald Trump’s administration is studying the national security risks of social media applications including TikTok and WeChat, with action to address the issue expected in the coming weeks, a White House official said on Wednesday.

President Donald Trump’s administration is studying the national security risks of social media applications including TikTok and WeChat, with action to address the issue expected in the coming weeks, a White House official said on Wednesday. “There are a number of ... administration officials who are looking at the national security risk as it relates to TikTok, WeChat and other apps that have the potential for national security exposure, specifically as it relates to the gathering of information on American citizens by a foreign adversary,” White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told reporters en route to Washington from Georgia. “I don’t know that there’s any self-imposed deadline in terms of action, but I would say that we’re looking at weeks, not months,” he added. TikTok defended its security practices in a statement, saying: “We are fully committed to protecting our users’ privacy and security. “TikTok has an American CEO, a Chief Information Security Officer with decades of US military and law enforcement experience, and a growing US team that works diligently to develop a best-in-class security infrastructure. TikTok US user data is stored in Virginia and Singapore, with strict controls on employee access. These are the facts,” the statement said. WeChat owner Tencent did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The comments come as TikTok, a popular short video-sharing app owned by Beijing ByteDance Technology Co, finds itself increasingly in the crosshairs of the Trump administration as US-China ties sour over the coronavirus pandemic and Beijing’s move to curb freedoms in Hong Kong. Earlier this month, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was “certainly looking at” banning Chinese social media apps, including TikTok, but offered no further details. On Wednesday, the New York Times reported the administration was weighing action against Chinese social media services like TikTok under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which gives the president broad powers to penalize companies in response to extraordinary threats, citing people familiar with the matter. But the administration was already looking into the company, after lawmakers called for a probe over concerns it could be censoring politically sensitive content and failing to safely store personal data. Reuters reported last November that a powerful US government committee known as CFIUS had launched a national security review of Bytedance’s $1 billion acquisition of US social media app Musical.ly. Meadows offered little detail about the mechanisms under consideration to respond to any threats posed by TikTok, but noted that the CFIUS review was perhaps on a parallel tract. WeChat, a chat app owned by Tencent Holdings Ltd, a Chinese gaming and social media group, has received less scrutiny in Washington.

Trump administration action on risks posed by TikTok likely 'in weeks': White House

After India banned Chinese video-sharing social networking service TikTok, a petition has been filed in Lahore High Court on Tuesday seeking a ban on the popular social media platform in Pakistan owing to its 'vulgar content'. 
 
Advocate Nadeem Sarwar moved the application on behalf of a citizen who is a petitioner in the main petition pending with the court, The Dawn reported.

According to the petition filed by the advocate Sarwar, the video-sharing app has a disastrous effect on the youth of Pakistan as it is not only leading to wastage of time and money but also peddling vulgarity. 
 
He said more than 10 deaths had been reported in the country in incidents relating to the users of the application.

Moreover, he said, the video-sharing application had become a source of spreading pornography for the sake of fame and ratings on social media.

In the petition, the advocate has requested the Lahore high court to issue directives for Pakistan telecommunication authority to impose a permanent ban on the use of TikTok in the Islamic republic.

Earlier this month, Pakistan had banned the popular battle royale game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds aka PUBG. PUBG had been cited as one of the reasons for cases of suicide in Pakistan. The temporary ban comes days after India clutched down on 59 Chinese apps and banned them. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

After India banned Chinese video-sharing social networking service TikTok, a petition has been filed in Lahore High Court on Tuesday seeking a ban on the popular social media platform in Pakistan owing to its 'vulgar content'.

After India banned Chinese video-sharing social networking service TikTok, a petition has been filed in Lahore High Court on Tuesday seeking a ban on the popular social media platform in Pakistan owing to its 'vulgar content'. Advocate Nadeem Sarwar moved the application on behalf of a citizen who is a petitioner in the main petition pending with the court, The Dawn reported. According to the petition filed by the advocate Sarwar, the video-sharing app has a disastrous effect on the youth of Pakistan as it is not only leading to wastage of time and money but also peddling vulgarity. He said more than 10 deaths had been reported in the country in incidents relating to the users of the application. Moreover, he said, the video-sharing application had become a source of spreading pornography for the sake of fame and ratings on social media. In the petition, the advocate has requested the Lahore high court to issue directives for Pakistan telecommunication authority to impose a permanent ban on the use of TikTok in the Islamic republic. Earlier this month, Pakistan had banned the popular battle royale game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds aka PUBG. PUBG had been cited as one of the reasons for cases of suicide in Pakistan. The temporary ban comes days after India clutched down on 59 Chinese apps and banned them. (With inputs from agencies)

Plea seeks TikTok ban in Pakistan, says it is peddling vulgarity

Amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing, White House trade advisor Peter Navarro says he expected the US President Donald Trump to take stricter action against the mobile applications TikTok and&nbsp;WeChat.

China and the US have been engaged in a verbal war for the last few month. The verbal war has also led to problems and roll-backs in trade and other deals, which have largely affected various companies and entities on both sides.

After India banned the use of TikTok app, among various other Chinese-owned applications, Donald Trump, too, expressed his intentions of a probable ban to punish China.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazoncom-bans-then-un-bans-tiktok-app-from-employee-mobile-devices-312476">Also read:&nbsp;Amazon.com bans, then un-bans TikTok app from employee mobile devices</a>

The statement made by Trump was not well received by the citizens of the country, as many argued that not only is TikTok a way to express their creativity, but is also a source of income for many.

Now, in an interview with a popular local channel, Peter Navarro tried to justify the action against TikTok by saying that&nbsp;"what the American people have to understand is all of the data that goes into those mobile apps that kids have so much fun with... goes right to servers in China, right to the Chinese military, the Chinese Communist Party."

Navarro, contrary to the views of the locals in the US, believes Donald Trump should take stricter action against TikTok to show the caliber of the US to punish China.

Fast-growing video-sharing app TikTok belongs to the Chinese group ByteDance and has nearly one billion users worldwide.&nbsp;WeChat, owned by Tencent, is the main messaging application in China with more than one billion users.

There has been no further statement by Donald Trump or the White House on this matter.

Amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing, White House trade advisor Peter Navarro says he expected the US President Donald Trump to take stricter action against the mobile applications TikTok and WeChat.

Amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing, White House trade advisor Peter Navarro says he expected the US President Donald Trump to take stricter action against the mobile applications TikTok and WeChat. China and the US have been engaged in a verbal war for the last few month. The verbal war has also led to problems and roll-backs in trade and other deals, which have largely affected various companies and entities on both sides. After India banned the use of TikTok app, among various other Chinese-owned applications, Donald Trump, too, expressed his intentions of a probable ban to punish China. Also read: Amazon.com bans, then un-bans TikTok app from employee mobile devices The statement made by Trump was not well received by the citizens of the country, as many argued that not only is TikTok a way to express their creativity, but is also a source of income for many. Now, in an interview with a popular local channel, Peter Navarro tried to justify the action against TikTok by saying that "what the American people have to understand is all of the data that goes into those mobile apps that kids have so much fun with... goes right to servers in China, right to the Chinese military, the Chinese Communist Party." Navarro, contrary to the views of the locals in the US, believes Donald Trump should take stricter action against TikTok to show the caliber of the US to punish China. Fast-growing video-sharing app TikTok belongs to the Chinese group ByteDance and has nearly one billion users worldwide. WeChat, owned by Tencent, is the main messaging application in China with more than one billion users. There has been no further statement by Donald Trump or the White House on this matter.

Expect stricter action against TikTok and WeChat: Peter Navarro

Amazon.com Inc banned and then unbanned -- in the span of a few hours on Friday -- the TikTok video sharing app from employee mobile devices, calling the move a mistake.

The news generated widespread attention for the Chinese-owned social media platform coming the same week US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was "certainly looking at" banning TikTok, suggesting it shared information with the Chinese government.

It was not immediately clear what led to the initial ban by Amazon. The ban was reversed after TikTok and Amazon representatives discussed the matter, according to an email sent to TikTok employees.

The attention underscores the hotseat that TikTok's owner, China-based ByteDance, has found itself in over recent days.

The Chinese ownership of TikTok has come under heavy scrutiny on issues including their handling of user data. India banned TikTok and other Chinese apps in June.

The company has said user data is stored in the United States with a backup copy in Singapore. One person familiar with the matter said TikTok's user data is primarily stored in the Google Cloud in its Virginia-based data center.

Pompeo has also hinted towards a possible ban of TikTok in the United States.

Last year the United States Navy banned TikTok from government-issued mobile devices, saying the app represented a "cybersecurity threat."

Last November, the US government launched a national security review of TikTok owner Beijing ByteDance Technology Co's $1 billion acquisition of US social media app Musical.ly, Reuters first reported last year.

Meanwhile, to address concerns over its Chinese ownership, ByteDance has taken steps to shift its center of power away from China, Reuters previously reported. It is also looking to make changes to TikTok's corporate structure for the same reasons.

Amazon.com Inc banned and then unbanned -- in the span of a few hours on Friday -- the TikTok video sharing app from employee mobile devices, calling the move a mistake.

Amazon.com Inc banned and then unbanned -- in the span of a few hours on Friday -- the TikTok video sharing app from employee mobile devices, calling the move a mistake. The news generated widespread attention for the Chinese-owned social media platform coming the same week US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was "certainly looking at" banning TikTok, suggesting it shared information with the Chinese government. It was not immediately clear what led to the initial ban by Amazon. The ban was reversed after TikTok and Amazon representatives discussed the matter, according to an email sent to TikTok employees. The attention underscores the hotseat that TikTok's owner, China-based ByteDance, has found itself in over recent days. The Chinese ownership of TikTok has come under heavy scrutiny on issues including their handling of user data. India banned TikTok and other Chinese apps in June. The company has said user data is stored in the United States with a backup copy in Singapore. One person familiar with the matter said TikTok's user data is primarily stored in the Google Cloud in its Virginia-based data center. Pompeo has also hinted towards a possible ban of TikTok in the United States. Last year the United States Navy banned TikTok from government-issued mobile devices, saying the app represented a "cybersecurity threat." Last November, the US government launched a national security review of TikTok owner Beijing ByteDance Technology Co's $1 billion acquisition of US social media app Musical.ly, Reuters first reported last year. Meanwhile, to address concerns over its Chinese ownership, ByteDance has taken steps to shift its center of power away from China, Reuters previously reported. It is also looking to make changes to TikTok's corporate structure for the same reasons.

Amazon.com bans, then un-bans TikTok app from employee mobile devices

Social media app TikTok said on Thursday it removed more than 49 million videos from its platform in the second half of last year for violating its guidelines.

These videos accounted for less than 1% of the total posted on the platform and fell under categories such as "violent and graphic content, hate speech and adult nudity", it said in a report (here) released on its website.

About one-third of the videos were from India, followed by the United States and Pakistan, it added.

The transparency report comes days after the company owned by China’s ByteDance was banned from India, one of its biggest markets, after a Sino-India border clash. The short-form video making app also decided to exit the Hong Kong market following China’s establishment of a sweeping new national security law for the semi-autonomous city.

TikTok launched a new platform to court small business advertisers on Wednesday. The platform, however, was fraught with challenges, especially after the Trump administration’s threat this week to impose a ban on China-based social media apps.

Social media app TikTok said on Thursday it removed more than 49 million videos from its platform in the second half of last year for violating its guidelines. These videos accounted for less than 1% of the total posted on the platform and fell under categories such as "violent and graphic content, hate speech and adult nudity", it said in a report (here) released on its website.

Social media app TikTok said on Thursday it removed more than 49 million videos from its platform in the second half of last year for violating its guidelines. These videos accounted for less than 1% of the total posted on the platform and fell under categories such as "violent and graphic content, hate speech and adult nudity", it said in a report (here) released on its website. About one-third of the videos were from India, followed by the United States and Pakistan, it added. The transparency report comes days after the company owned by China’s ByteDance was banned from India, one of its biggest markets, after a Sino-India border clash. The short-form video making app also decided to exit the Hong Kong market following China’s establishment of a sweeping new national security law for the semi-autonomous city. TikTok launched a new platform to court small business advertisers on Wednesday. The platform, however, was fraught with challenges, especially after the Trump administration’s threat this week to impose a ban on China-based social media apps.

TikTok says removed over 49 million videos in second half of 2019

The Federal Trade Commission and the US Justice Department are looking into allegations that popular app TikTok failed to live up to a 2019 agreement aimed at protecting children's privacy, Reuters report said quoting two people interviewed by the agencies.

The Federal Trade Commission and the US Justice Department are looking into allegations that popular app TikTok failed to live up to a 2019 agreement aimed at protecting children's privacy, Reuters report said quoting two people interviewed by the agencies. A staffer in a Massachusetts tech policy group and another source said they took part in separate conference calls with FTC and Justice Department officials to discuss accusations the China-based short video sharing app had failed to live up to an agreement announced in February 2019. The Center for Digital Democracy, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood and others in May asked the FTC look into their allegations TikTok failed to delete videos and personal information about users age 13 and younger as it had agreed to do, among other violations. Reuters could not determine whether any action would be taken against TikTok by either of the two agencies. A TikTok spokesman said they take "safety seriously for all our users," adding that in the United States they "accommodate users under 13 in a limited app experience that introduces additional safety and privacy protections designed specifically for a younger audience." Officials from both the FTC, which reached the original consent agreement with TikTok, and Justice Department, which often files court documents for the FTC, met via video with representatives of the groups to discuss the matter, said David Monahan, a campaign manager with the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. "I got the sense from our conversation that they are looking into the assertions that we raised in our complaint," Monahan said. A second person, speaking privately, confirmed that advocates had met with officials from the two agencies to discuss concerns TikTok violated the consent decree. The FTC declined to comment. The Justice Department had no immediate comment.

US probing allegations TikTok violated children's privacy: Sources

Missing TikTok? Here are the top 6 alternatives in India!

The Federal Trade Commission and the US Justice Department are looking into allegations that popular app TikTok did not live up to a 2019 agreement that aimed at protecting children’s privacy. Watch report.

Tiktok Draws U.S. Scrutiny Over Privacy Privacy Groups Accuse Tiktok Over Handling Of Data.

tiktok

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