US Markets
Monday, March 11th, 2024 3:24 pm EDT
Key Points
- Donald Trump expresses concerns about banning TikTok, suggesting it would strengthen Meta’s Facebook platform, which he views as detrimental.
- Trump acknowledges both the positive and negative aspects of TikTok, highlighting its popularity among users, particularly young people.
- Despite national security concerns surrounding TikTok’s Chinese ownership, Trump warns against inadvertently benefiting Facebook through a ban and emphasizes Facebook’s own privacy and security issues.
Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, expressed reservations about the proposed ban on Chinese-owned social media app TikTok in the United States during an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” Trump argued that such a ban would only bolster Meta’s Facebook platform, which he labeled as “an enemy of the people.” Despite acknowledging concerns regarding national security and data privacy associated with TikTok, Trump highlighted the app’s popularity, particularly among young users. TikTok, owned by Chinese internet giant ByteDance, has experienced explosive growth globally with its short video format, but this has also raised fears among regulators about potential data sharing with the Chinese government. Trump’s administration previously attempted to force ByteDance to divest TikTok due to these concerns, which ultimately did not materialize. Now, lawmakers are revisiting measures to address TikTok-related worries, with some proposing divestiture or a complete ban. Although Trump still views TikTok as a national security risk, he cautioned against inadvertently strengthening Facebook through a TikTok ban, noting Facebook’s own privacy and security issues. Trump’s remarks reflect a nuanced stance on the TikTok issue, emphasizing both national security concerns and the potential unintended consequences of banning the app.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/11/trump-says-a-tiktok-ban-would-empower-meta-slams-facebook-as-enemy-of-the-people.html
