In 2022, the Biden administration reportedly turned down an offer from TikTok that would have granted the U.S. government significant control over the popular China-based app. The proposal came at a time when TikTok was facing the possibility of being sold or shut down.
ByteDance, the Chinese owner of TikTok, proposed giving the U.S. government the authority to select its board of directors, influence hiring decisions, and even agreed to have a U.S. company monitor its source code. However, the government ultimately rejected the offer, citing serious national security concerns.
A senior administration official stated that a year ago, it was determined that the proposed solution would not adequately address the national security risks posed by TikTok. On the other hand, a TikTok spokesperson defended the platform by highlighting the third-party oversight it already has in place, emphasizing that other entertainment and social media platforms do not offer a similar level of scrutiny despite employing foreign nationals and having development centers worldwide.
As the legal battle between TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, and several TikTok creators intensifies, a U.S. appeals court has expedited the process by fast-tracking the legal challenge set to take place in September. The lawsuit is expected to delve into the complexities surrounding national security, data privacy, and the regulation of foreign-owned social media platforms operating in the United States.
