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TikTok: US general manager Pappas says app 'here for the long run' | TikTok: US general manager Pappas says app 'here for the long run' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The US general manager of TikTok has said the Chinese-owned video-sharing app is "here for the long run", after President Donald Trump said he would ban it in the US. | The US general manager of TikTok has said the Chinese-owned video-sharing app is "here for the long run", after President Donald Trump said he would ban it in the US. |
Vanessa Pappas told TikTok users in a video statement that its staff were building "the safest app". | Vanessa Pappas told TikTok users in a video statement that its staff were building "the safest app". |
Mr Trump said he could soon sign an executive order, amid concerns the app could be used to collect Americans' personal data. | |
TikTok denies any Chinese control. | TikTok denies any Chinese control. |
The fast-growing app has up to 80 million active monthly users in the US and the ban would be a major blow for the Chinese firm ByteDance which owns it. | The fast-growing app has up to 80 million active monthly users in the US and the ban would be a major blow for the Chinese firm ByteDance which owns it. |
It was not immediately clear what authority Mr Trump has to ban TikTok, how that ban would be enforced and what legal challenges it would face. | It was not immediately clear what authority Mr Trump has to ban TikTok, how that ban would be enforced and what legal challenges it would face. |
Reuters news agency reported on Saturday that ByteDance had agreed to completely divest TikTok's US operations. Previously the Chinese company had sought to keep a minority stake, with Microsoft reportedly in talks to buy the app. | |
But sources quoted by Reuters said ByteDance would exit completely and Microsoft Corp would take over TikTok in the US. | |
The move to ban TikTok comes at a time of heightened tensions between the Trump administration and the Chinese government over a number of issues, including trade disputes and Beijing's handling of the coronavirus outbreak. | The move to ban TikTok comes at a time of heightened tensions between the Trump administration and the Chinese government over a number of issues, including trade disputes and Beijing's handling of the coronavirus outbreak. |
What did Ms Pappas say? | What did Ms Pappas say? |
TikTok's US general manager said the company had heard an "outpouring of support" for the app, and thanked the "millions of Americans" who used it every day. | TikTok's US general manager said the company had heard an "outpouring of support" for the app, and thanked the "millions of Americans" who used it every day. |
"We're not planning on going anywhere," she said. | "We're not planning on going anywhere," she said. |
Addressing concerns about data security, she said TikTok was behaving responsibly. | Addressing concerns about data security, she said TikTok was behaving responsibly. |
"When it comes to safety and security, we're building the safest app, because we know it's the right thing to do," she said. | "When it comes to safety and security, we're building the safest app, because we know it's the right thing to do," she said. |
"We're here for the long run, continue to share your voice here and let's stand for TikTok." | "We're here for the long run, continue to share your voice here and let's stand for TikTok." |
What is TikTok? | What is TikTok? |
The platform has exploded in popularity in recent years, mostly with people under 20. | The platform has exploded in popularity in recent years, mostly with people under 20. |
They use the app to share 15-second videos that often involve lip-synching to songs, comedy routines and unusual editing tricks. | They use the app to share 15-second videos that often involve lip-synching to songs, comedy routines and unusual editing tricks. |
These videos are then made available to both followers and strangers. By default, all accounts are public, although users can restrict uploads to an approved list of contacts. | These videos are then made available to both followers and strangers. By default, all accounts are public, although users can restrict uploads to an approved list of contacts. |
TikTok also allows private messages to be sent but this facility is limited to "friends". | TikTok also allows private messages to be sent but this facility is limited to "friends". |
The app is reported to have around 800 million active monthly users, most of whom are in the US and India. | The app is reported to have around 800 million active monthly users, most of whom are in the US and India. |
India has already blocked TikTok as well as other Chinese apps. Australia, which has already banned Huawei and telecom equipment-maker ZTE, is also considering banning TikTok. | India has already blocked TikTok as well as other Chinese apps. Australia, which has already banned Huawei and telecom equipment-maker ZTE, is also considering banning TikTok. |
Why Trump dislikes TikTok | Why Trump dislikes TikTok |
Analysis by James Clayton, BBC North America technology correspondent | Analysis by James Clayton, BBC North America technology correspondent |
Trump's dislike of TikTok goes further than just privacy concerns. | Trump's dislike of TikTok goes further than just privacy concerns. |
In India TikTok was banned after a border skirmish with China - it was caught up in a geopolitical feud. And that's what's happened here, too. Trump's sights are set firmly on China - and this should be seen through that lens. | In India TikTok was banned after a border skirmish with China - it was caught up in a geopolitical feud. And that's what's happened here, too. Trump's sights are set firmly on China - and this should be seen through that lens. |
TikTok says that it doesn't keep any data in China and would never give it to China. | TikTok says that it doesn't keep any data in China and would never give it to China. |
But, in many ways it doesn't matter what they say, the fact that they are owned by a Chinese's company is guilt enough. | But, in many ways it doesn't matter what they say, the fact that they are owned by a Chinese's company is guilt enough. |
Not to be overlooked either is Trump's previous experience with TikTok. | Not to be overlooked either is Trump's previous experience with TikTok. |
Last month users claimed to have scuppered his Tulsa rally after signing up to tickets they had no intention of using. | Last month users claimed to have scuppered his Tulsa rally after signing up to tickets they had no intention of using. |
And although there are Republican and conservative voices on TikTok, the profile of users in the US is generally young and liberal/left. | And although there are Republican and conservative voices on TikTok, the profile of users in the US is generally young and liberal/left. |
It's hard to believe that's not a factor here. | It's hard to believe that's not a factor here. |
Why is the US concerned about TikTok? | Why is the US concerned about TikTok? |
US officials and politicians have raised concerns data collected by ByteDance via TikTok may end up being passed to the Chinese government. | US officials and politicians have raised concerns data collected by ByteDance via TikTok may end up being passed to the Chinese government. |
TikTok operates a similar but separate version of the app in China, known as Douyin. It says all US user data is stored in the US, with a backup in Singapore. | TikTok operates a similar but separate version of the app in China, known as Douyin. It says all US user data is stored in the US, with a backup in Singapore. |
This week, TikTok told users and regulators it would observe a high level of transparency, including allowing reviews of its algorithms. | This week, TikTok told users and regulators it would observe a high level of transparency, including allowing reviews of its algorithms. |
"We are not political, we do not accept political advertising and have no agenda - our only objective is to remain a vibrant, dynamic platform for everyone to enjoy," the CEO of TikTok, Kevin Mayer, said in a post this week. | "We are not political, we do not accept political advertising and have no agenda - our only objective is to remain a vibrant, dynamic platform for everyone to enjoy," the CEO of TikTok, Kevin Mayer, said in a post this week. |
"TikTok has become the latest target, but we are not the enemy." | "TikTok has become the latest target, but we are not the enemy." |
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