The video-sharing app TikTok could be staring at a potential national ban in the United States if it doesn't part ways with its Chinese parent ByteDance, according to reports.
Reports in the The Wall Street Journal and other US news outlets on Wednesday said that the White House set an ultimatum: if TikTok remains a part of ByteDance, it will be banned in the United States.
The WSJ report also said that the Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States (CFIUS), which oversees national security risks, unanimously recommended ByteDance divest from TikTok.
However, TikTok was dismissive of reports saying that such a move wouldn't help protect national security. "If protecting national security is the objective, divestment doesn't solve the problem: a change in ownership would not impose any new restrictions on data flows or access," TikTok spokesperson Maureen Shanahan said.
US's stand on TikTok so far
The ban was reportedly first threatened under the-then President Donald Trump in 2020. Late last month, the White House gave all federal agencies 30 days to wipe TikTok off all government devices. The Office of Management and Budget called the guidance a "critical step forward in addressing the risks presented by the app to sensitive government data."
According to a report by BBC, American officials have raised concerns that data from the popular app could fall into the hands of the Chinese government.
Some agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and State, already have restrictions in place. The White House already does not allow TikTok on its devices.
Congress passed the "No TikTok on Government Devices Act" in December as part of a sweeping government funding package. The legislation does allow for TikTok use in certain cases, including for national security, law enforcement and research purposes.
(With inputs from AP)
