US President-elect Donald Trump just lately met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida.
This assembly comes as TikTok faces a looming ban within the US as a consequence of considerations over its possession by Chinese language mum or dad firm ByteDance.
A legislation handed earlier this 12 months stipulates that TikTok should be bought by ByteDance earlier than January 19 to keep away from a ban. TikTok has filed an emergency utility with the US Supreme Courtroom to delay the ban, citing the necessity for a evaluate and permitting the incoming administration to evaluate the state of affairs.
On Monday, TikTok requested the Supreme Courtroom for a “modest delay” to “create respiratory room” for a evaluate of the ban by the court docket and the incoming administration to guage the choice.
It has additionally stated that TikTok is without doubt one of the most important speech platforms and the ban would trigger “irreparable hurt” to the corporate and customers.
Curiously, Trump has expressed opposition to the ban, regardless of initially supporting it throughout his first time period. He believes the ban might inadvertently profit Fb, which he has accused of contributing to his 2020 election loss. Trump’s second time period is about to start on January 20, only a day after the deadline for TikTok’s sale or ban.
In a latest press convention, Trump acknowledged that his administration would “check out TikTok.” He additionally acknowledged the platform’s affect, notably amongst younger voters, saying, “I’ve a heat spot in my coronary heart for TikTok, as a result of I received youth by 34 factors.”
“There are people who say that TikTok has one thing to do with that. TikTok had an affect.”
Trump boasts 14.5 million followers on TikTok regardless of becoming a member of the platform solely in June.