Microsoft reportedly in talks to buy TikTok’s US operations as Donald Trump says he will ban the Chinese video app

Microsoft is the latest firm that is in talks to acquire TikTok’s American operations, according to news reports, as the United States weighs steps to force its Chinese owner to sell the popular video app for national security concerns.

TikTok, touting 26.5 million monthly active users in the US, has had an explosive growth globally in recent years. Its success partly contributes to the attention by Washington the company is receiving at a time when the relationship between the two countries has deteriorated.

US President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he could use emergency economic powers or an executive order to ban the app in the US, fearing that the personal and sensitive user data it possesses can be obtained by Beijing.

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Pompeo says US considering ban on TikTok and other Chinese apps, praises Google, Facebook, Twitter

Pompeo says US considering ban on TikTok and other Chinese apps, praises Google, Facebook, Twitter

“As far as TikTok is concerned, we’re banning them from the United States,” he said. “I have that authority,” he added. “It’s going to be signed tomorrow.”