Trump’s TikTok row under fire

BEIJING, China (China Daily) — With US President Donald Trump proposing a ban on TikTok, critics said the move will not solve “security risks,” while American values could be challenged if the popular app actually goes dark.

Trump said on Friday that he planned to terminate the videosharing app in the US through “presidential authority.” It’s not clear how he might implement the ban, but following the announcement, Microsoft has reportedly paused negotiations with TikTok’s Chinese parent company Byte-Dance to buy its US operations.

While the two companies are waiting for clarity from the White House, the TikTok community is pouring out its frustration over the proposed ban and is expressing support for the company on social media.

The app has gained more popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic as many view it as a source of entertainment and education. Many young TikTok users are so desperate to keep the app around that they launched a movement called “saveTikTok” on social media.