World in 10 China's plan for Musk Tiktok purchase leaves further security concerns
Jan 15, 2025
In this discussion, Richard Spencer, China correspondent for The Times, unpacks the potential implications of Elon Musk's interest in acquiring TikTok. He addresses national security concerns, especially as TikTok faces a potential ban in the U.S. Spencer examines the histories and controversies surrounding TikTok's ownership and data privacy issues. He also delves into the motivations behind Musk's interest, considering how this could impact U.S.-China relations and what it might mean for user safety amidst geopolitical tensions.
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TikTok Ban Origins
- TikTok's ban in the US originated with President Trump over concerns of Chinese influence and data access.
- The Biden administration later supported the ban due to national security threats and potential public opinion manipulation.
Data Concerns
- TikTok's data collection raises concerns about potential misuse, including blackmail and psychological profiling.
- This aggregated data could be exploited by a malicious power against individuals.
Sale Complexities
- Selling the US arm of TikTok might involve creating separate entities with licensing agreements.
- This wouldn't fully address influence concerns, as targeted content could still be uploaded from outside the US.