US Representative John Moolenaar, chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, expressed concerns on September 17 over a reported deal that would transfer TikTok’s US assets from ByteDance to American ownership.

Moolenaar is worried the proposed licensing arrangement could let TikTok continue using ByteDance’s algorithm, raising the risk of ongoing Chinese government influence over the app.

Reuters reported that the new framework, similar to one negotiated earlier in the year, would let TikTok operate in the US under American control, but might still allow access to ByteDance’s technology.

China has indicated it will review technology exports and licensing under its laws, according to two sources familiar with the deal.

A US law passed in 2024 mandated TikTok’s divestment due to national security concerns about Chinese access to American user data.

Some lawmakers argue the law requires complete separation from China, and say allowing TikTok to operate under Chinese ownership past the deadline violates this requirement.

🔗 Source: Reuters

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