Microsoft to continue discussions to purchase TikTok in the US

After discussions between Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and US President Donald Trump, Microsoft is prepared to move forward regarding its acquisition of TikTok in the United States.

In Microsoft’s blog, they understand the President’s concerns regarding the platform. They are committed to put TikTok through a complete security review and provide proper economic benefits to the United States, including the United States Treasury.

Microsoft is keen on moving forward quickly, stating the discussions with TikTok’s parent company ByteDance will be completed no later than September 15, 2020, with further dialogue with the United States Government.

These discussions are built upon both companies’ notification to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, announcing Microsoft’s intent to purchase the TikTok service in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Other American investors may also participate on a minority basis in the purchase.

The new TikTok will retain elements that its user base love while adding security, privacy, and digital safety protections. It will be built on transparency, as well as the appropriate security oversight by the governments in the countries it will operate in. Microsoft also ensures that all private data of TikTok’s American users will remain in the United States and delete any data from servers outside the country after it is transferred.