The CEO of TikTok, Zhang Yiming, has spoken out about the threat of a U.S. ban on the popular social media app. In a recent statement, Yiming expressed his concern about the potential ban and the impact it could have on the company’s millions of users in the United States.
TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, has been the subject of intense scrutiny by the U.S. government in recent months. Lawmakers have expressed concern that the app’s Chinese ownership could pose a national security threat, and have called for the app to be banned in the country.
What is the CEOs Statement?
In his statement, Yiming pushed back against these concerns, emphasizing that TikTok’s user data is stored in the United States and that the company is committed to protecting the privacy and security of its users.
“We have never shared user data with the Chinese government, and we would not do so if asked,” Yiming said. “We believe that our platform is an important part of the social fabric of the United States, and we are committed to doing everything we can to ensure that it remains available to our millions of users.”
Yiming’s comments come as TikTok faces a deadline to sell its U.S. operations to an American company or face a ban in the country. The Trump administration has given the company until September 20 to complete a sale, although that deadline has been extended several times in recent weeks.
Several American companies, including Microsoft and Walmart, have expressed interest in buying TikTok’s U.S. operations. However, negotiations have been complicated by the Chinese government’s new rules governing the export of certain technologies, including the algorithm that powers TikTok’s content recommendations.
Despite these challenges, Yiming expressed confidence that a deal could be reached that would allow TikTok to continue operating in the United States.
“We are committed to finding a solution that works for everyone, and we believe that there is a path forward that will allow us to continue serving our users in the United States,” Yiming said.
What will be the next steps?
TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, with over 100 million users in the United States alone. The app allows users to create short videos set to music and has become particularly popular with young people.
If TikTok is banned in the United States, it could have significant implications for the company’s future growth and profitability. However, Yiming remains optimistic that a solution can be found that will allow TikTok to continue operating in the country.
“We are committed to building a platform that is safe, secure, and fun for our users, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that TikTok remains an important part of the social media landscape in the United States,” Yiming said.
