Trump: TikTok deal ‘has my blessing’

GBNEWS24 DESK//

US President Donald Trump has expressed his approval of a deal that would allow Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok to continue operating in the US.

Mr Trump told reporters he had given his “blessing” to a partnership between TikTok and US firms Oracle and Walmart, reports BBC.

The president had ordered the app to be banned in the US, citing national security concerns.

US security officials fear data collected by TikTok’s owner may be handed to the Chinese government.

TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, has denied accusations that it is controlled by or shares data with China’s ruling Communist Party.

On Saturday, Mr Trump said the deal would ensure the data of the estimated 100 million Americans who use the app was safe, telling reporters: “The security will be 100%.”

“I have given the deal my blessing,” Mr Trump said as he left the White House ahead of an election rally in North Carolina. “I approve the deal in concept.”

ByteDance has not yet commented on the proposed TikTok deal, which would need further approval by the Chinese government.

President Trump’s support for the deal comes days after his administration said it would bar people in the US from downloading TikTok through any app store from Sunday.

However, the US Commerce Department said it had now delayed this deadline for a week until 27 September in the “light of recent positive developments”.