Q&A: TikTok saga continues with Microsoft talks. Now what?
NEW YORK (AP) The latest twist in the TikTok saga is an especially strange turn in a tale filled with strange turns. Suddenly, Microsoft known primarily for work software like Windows and Office is in talks to buy the popular Chinese-owned video app, which has raised national-security concerns for U.S. officials.
The U.S. government is effectively forcing ByteDance, TikToks owner, to sell so it can salvage the app in the U.S., a huge and valuable market. President Donald Trump has threatened a ban on TikTok and other administration officials and U.S. lawmakers of both parties have said the app's Chinese ownership is a concern.
Its unclear what shape such a ban would take or whether the sale will go through. TikToks users are posting videos saying they are upset and angry. Here's whats at stake.
Q. What is TikTok again?
A. The app is a home for fun, goofy videos that are easy to make and to watch. That's made it immensely popular, particularly with young people, and U.S. tech giants like Facebook and Snapchat see it as a competitive threat. TikTok says it has 100 million U.S. users and hundreds of millions globally. It has its own influencer culture, allowing people to make a living from posting videos on the service, and hosts ads from major U.S. companies.
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