Key Lawmakers Wary of TikTok Deal Trump Administration Preparing

The Trump administration is preparing a deal for outside investors to acquire a 50% stake in TikTok's US operations. However, key lawmakers who previously pushed for a ban on the Chinese-owned social media app have expressed skepticism about this proposed deal. The lawmakers argue that a partial sale of TikTok's US business does not adequately address their concerns over national security risks and the app's data collection practices. They believe a complete divestment of TikTok's US operations is necessary to protect American users' data from potential Chinese government access. The deal under consideration would allow Oracle and Walmart to take a combined 50% stake in a newly created US-based TikTok entity, with the rest owned by ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company. This arrangement has raised doubts among lawmakers about the extent of control over user data and the app's algorithms. The ongoing debate highlights the complex and contentious nature of the TikTok issue, as the Trump administration attempts to balance national security concerns with commercial interests.