Microsoft has confirmed that it will continue discussions to buy Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok and expects to conclude the M&A negotiations by Sept. 15. This coming after President Donald J. Trump said he opposed such a deal and has claimed he plans to ban TikTok. Trump had told reporters that he planned to take some kind of action to ban TikTok over national-security and data-gathering concerns with the video app’s Chinese ownership.
However, in a blog post on August 20, Microsoft said, “Microsoft fully appreciates the importance of addressing the President’s concerns. It is committed to acquiring TikTok subject to a complete security review and providing proper economic benefits to the United States, including the United States Treasury.”
According to the American Multinational Technology Company, “Following a conversation between Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and President Donald J. Trump, Microsoft is prepared to continue discussions to explore a purchase of TikTok in the United States.”
Among other measures, Microsoft said it would ensure that all private data of TikTok’s American users is transferred to and remains in the United States. To the extent that any such data is currently stored or backed-up outside the United States, Microsoft would ensure that this data is deleted from servers outside the country after it is transferred.
“This new structure would build on the experience TikTok users currently love, while adding world-class security, privacy, and digital safety protections. The operating model for the service would be built to ensure transparency to users as well as appropriate security oversight by governments in these countries,” Microsoft’s statement added.