U.S. lawmakers remain skeptical, concerned ByteDance may retain influence even after a sale, posing a national security threat.
TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain as President Trump granted ByteDance an additional 75 days to finalize a sale of the app’s U.S. operations.
However, China is pushing back—particularly over the export of TikTok’s algorithm, the recommendation engine central to its success.
Under a 2020 Chinese law, exporting such technology requires government approval.
“The specific business arrangements must comply with Chinese law, including the export of technology,” said a commerce ministry spokesperson, according to Reuters.
ByteDance is now in a bind: selling TikTok without the algorithm significantly reduces its value, while exporting it without Beijing’s approval could violate Chinese law.
U.S. lawmakers remain skeptical, concerned ByteDance may retain influence even after a sale, posing a national security threat.
Perplexity AI and Reddit’s co-founder have entered the race to acquire the platform.
As both Washington and Beijing assert control, TikTok is caught in a geopolitical struggle that could determine whether it remains on American phones—or disappears altogether.