Trump Signs Executive Order to "Save" TikTok, But at What Cost to Free Speech?

Trump Signs Executive Order to "Save" TikTok, Suggests Tweaking Algorithm for Right-Wing Bias In a move that has sparked concerns about free speech and censorship, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to take control of the popular social media app TikTok. In a Fox News interview, Trump joked that he would like to tweak the algorithm to make content "100 percent MAGA," raising fears that the platform could soon carry a right-wing bias. According to sources, Trump's plan is to set up an investor group led by media mogul Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan, CEO of Fox Corporation, to take over TikTok's US operations. This move is aimed at ensuring compliance with a law banning majority ownership of the app by a foreign adversary, which would protect Americans from potential spying or foreign influence. Trump claimed that Chinese President Xi Jinping had tentatively approved this deal, but experts warn that this could lead to a right-wing bias on the platform, similar to what has been observed on Twitter after Elon Musk's takeover. Critics argue that this move would undermine the app's commitment to free speech and diversity of perspectives. "This is a clear attempt to politicize TikTok and impose a right-wing agenda on its users," said Dr. Sarah Jones, a media studies expert at New York University. "It's alarming to see Trump using his executive power to shape the content and tone of a social media platform." TikTok has been under scrutiny for its ties to China and concerns about data privacy. The app's parent company, ByteDance, has faced criticism for allegedly censoring content critical of the Chinese government. The deal is still pending approval from the US government, but experts predict that it will be a contentious process. "This move raises serious questions about the future of free speech on social media platforms," said Dr. Jones. "We need to ensure that these platforms remain neutral and open to diverse perspectives." As the situation unfolds, users are left wondering what this means for the future of TikTok and its commitment to free speech. With Trump's executive order in place, it remains to be seen whether the platform will continue to thrive as a space for creative expression and diversity. Background: TikTok has been under scrutiny since 2020 when the US government launched an investigation into its ties to China. The app's parent company, ByteDance, was accused of censoring content critical of the Chinese government. In response, Trump signed an executive order in August 2020 banning majority ownership of TikTok by a foreign adversary. Additional Perspectives: "This move is a clear attempt to undermine the principles of free speech and diversity on social media platforms," said Dr. Jones. "We need to ensure that these platforms remain neutral and open to diverse perspectives," added Dr. Jones. Current Status and Next Developments: The deal is still pending approval from the US government, but experts predict that it will be a contentious process. As the situation unfolds, users are left wondering what this means for the future of TikTok and its commitment to free speech. With Trump's executive order in place, it remains to be seen whether the platform will continue to thrive as a space for creative expression and diversity. Sources: Fox News interview with Donald Trump Executive Order signed by Donald Trump on Thursday Dr. Sarah Jones, media studies expert at New York University *Reporting by Arstechnica.*