Syed Imran Haider 
The Biden government has escalated its pressure campaign on TikTok. It already has threatened a ban against the popular short video app in the country if it does not split with its Chinese proprietorship. The administration raised the public’s concerns regarding TikTok, which have significantly increased in the present time.
A Wall Street Journal report reveals that the U.S. government has sought to isolate TikTok from its Chinese ownership. It demands the sale using the Committee on foreign investment in the United States, known as CFIUS.
The short video app protruded against the new Biden’s demand, saying that the proposed solutions, including a ban on the app, are not suitable solutions to remove the U.S. government’s concerns.
TikTok says Oracle, a US-based tech giant, is auditing its unusual gesture around self-regulation with other measures. The company anticipates having more resolutions over the concern following the completion of the audit.
Maureen Shanahan, the TikTok representative, told the digital media that if the U.S. government aims to protect national security, divestment does not solve the problem. It refers to a change in the app’s ownership, which should not put new restrictions on data access or flow. The U.S. government could address security concerns about national security through the U.S.-based transparent protection of American user data and systems and robust third-party inspection, verification, and monitoring, which the company has already implemented.
The Project Texas
Project Texas program refers to a significant part of the TikTok charm offensive in the United States. It portrayed the transparent and accountable operations of the company in the U.S. operations. The campaign involves around $1.5 billion investment in infrastructure and corporate re-organization to erect a fire between TikTok’s Chinese owners and its U.S. business.
Shou Zi Chew, in an interview, argued that Project Texas could keep the U.S. data away from the reach of the Chinese administration. The CEO did not answer a question asking if ByteDance’s founders would accept the divesting option. Chew welcomed feedback on the potential risks not addressed by this. According to TikTok’s CEO, he had not heard anything it could not solve.
The short video app began witnessing the so-called national security drama when Donald Trump was in the power. The Trump administration’s warning against the Chinese app eventually culminated in a strategy to sell its U.S. operations to Oracle two years ago. TikTok rejected Microsoft’s acquisition offer and did not vend its operation to Oracle.
The Biden Administration Increases the Pressure
Biden’s arrival in the White House shelved the deal indefinitely the following year. It was an outcome of successful court challenges by ByteDance and changing U.S. administration priorities. In 2022, TikTok and Oracle’s odd relationship turned a new phase, with the Chinese app moving data on U.S. users to Oracle’s local servers. Simultaneously BuzzFeed documented an explosive story around internal TikTok discussions. It revealed Chinese employees, admitting open access to information on U.S. users, running to counter to TikTok’s reassurances.
The Biden administration has conveyed its concerns concerning the popular Chinese app and removed the U.S.-based social media officials. Emily Baker-White has made many illuminating stories about TikTok and America’s national security concerns. She says the Justice Department and the FBI keep examining the company over security concerns.
