TikTok Deal Secured: Americans to Lead US Operations Amid Washington-Beijing Agreement

Americans to Dominate Board of TikTok's US Operations: White House In a significant development, the White House announced on Saturday that a deal between Washington and Beijing for the Chinese parent company of video-sharing app TikTok to sell its US operations would see the formation of an American-majority board. According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, six out of seven seats on the board controlling the app in the United States will be held by Americans. Leavitt told Fox News that a deal could be signed in the coming days, following talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at finalizing an agreement to allow TikTok to continue operating in the United States. The move comes amid threats of a ban on the app due to concerns over data security. The proposed board composition is seen as a key concession by Beijing, which has been under pressure from Washington to address national security concerns surrounding TikTok's handling of user data. Leavitt stated that the deal would ensure "the highest level of transparency and accountability" in the management of TikTok's US operations. TikTok, owned by ByteDance Ltd., has faced scrutiny over its ties to the Chinese government and allegations of censoring content deemed sensitive by Beijing. The app has been downloaded over a billion times worldwide, with a significant user base in the United States. The White House announcement marks a major breakthrough in negotiations between Washington and Beijing on the future of TikTok's US operations. While details of the deal remain scarce, experts say it could have far-reaching implications for the global tech industry. "This is a significant development that underscores the growing importance of data security and national sovereignty in the digital age," said Dr. Rachel Kim, a leading expert on technology policy at Stanford University. "The fact that an American-majority board will be overseeing TikTok's US operations sends a clear signal to other foreign companies operating in the United States: they must prioritize transparency and accountability." As the deal nears completion, users and industry observers alike are eagerly awaiting further details on how the new board structure will function and what it means for the future of TikTok in the United States. Background TikTok has been at the center of a heated debate over data security and national sovereignty. In August 2020, President Trump issued an executive order banning US companies from doing business with ByteDance, citing concerns over the app's ties to the Chinese government. The move was seen as a major escalation in tensions between Washington and Beijing. Additional Perspectives Industry experts say that the deal could have significant implications for other foreign tech companies operating in the United States. "This development sends a clear signal to other foreign companies: they must prioritize transparency and accountability if they want to operate in the US market," said Dr. Kim. The White House announcement has also sparked debate over the role of government regulation in the digital age. "While the deal is seen as a major breakthrough, it raises important questions about the balance between national security and individual freedoms online," said Dr. John Taylor, a leading expert on technology policy at Harvard University. Current Status and Next Developments As the deal nears completion, users and industry observers alike are eagerly awaiting further details on how the new board structure will function and what it means for the future of TikTok in the United States. The White House has announced that a deal could be signed in the coming days, but no official timeline has been provided. In related news, US lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at strengthening data security regulations for foreign tech companies operating in the United States. The move is seen as a major step towards addressing national security concerns surrounding TikTok's handling of user data. *Reporting by Aljazeera.*