Social media platform TikTok has refuted studies that China is exploring the sale of the app’s U.S. operations to Elon Musk, calling the claims “pure fiction.”
The rumors originated from a Bloomberg report suggesting Chinese language officers had been evaluating Musk’s acquisition of TikTok’s U.S. belongings to avoid a possible ban underneath U.S. laws set to take impact on January 19.
The report, which cited nameless sources, claims that Musk’s historical past of profitable enterprise dealings in China and his relationship with Beijing make him a positive candidate for such a deal.
“We can’t be expected to comment on pure fiction,” a TikTok spokesperson instructed Selection.
The U.S. authorities has raised issues about TikTok’s Chinese language possession, citing nationwide safety dangers. Lawmakers have mentioned they concern the app might result in information misuse, surveillance, or propaganda.
Congress handed the Defending People from International Adversary Managed Purposes Act final yr, requiring TikTok’s guardian firm ByteDance to divest its TikTok stake or face a nationwide ban.
TikTok has appealed the legislation to the Supreme Courtroom, noting how the ban violates the First Modification rights of its 170 million U.S. customers.
On January 10, the Supreme Courtroom heard TikTok’s emergency enchantment, however appeared extra receptive to the federal government’s place.
If the ban proceeds, Apple, Google, and hosting suppliers should block TikTok’s distribution within the U.S. until ByteDance complies with the legislation.
Musk, Misinformation, and Crypto Ties
Hypothesis linking Musk to a TikTok acquisition has triggered discussions about his affect in tech and politics.
Since buying X, previously Twitter, in 2022 for $44 billion, Musk has wielded the platform to sway public sentiment, together with within the political and crypto areas.
Notably, his tweets and endorsements have fueled sentiment round cryptocurrencies like Dogecoin (DOGE), which noticed important value surges tied to his feedback.
Throughout the 2024 presidential election, Musk’s posts reportedly amplified election misinformation, with a Middle for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) report flagging a minimum of 87 of his posts as false or deceptive.
Musk’s reference to President-elect Donald Trump, the Republican candidate within the 2024 election, additionally set off issues.
The billionaire used Twitter to share Trump’s marketing campaign narratives It additionally led the Dogecoin value to a three-year excessive when Musk teased the institution of a Division of Authorities Effectivity (D.O.G.E.) underneath the President-elect’s administration.
TikTok’s destiny hangs within the stability because the ban deadline approaches. For now, the platform continues its battle to keep up entry for tens of millions of American customers.
Edited by Stacy Elliott.