Forcing TikTok to sell its US business could end up killing the open internet

Analysts say the deal could result in data nationalism and have far-reaching effects.

ByteDance boss in a predicament over Trump's ultimatum on TikTok

Zhang Yiming has been given just six weeks to find a buyer for the app in the United States or have it banned in its second largest market.

The President sometimes floats ideas or actions that get set aside without follow-through.

Microsoft has had limited success in social media, although it did acquire the business-focused network LinkedIn.

The US president has set a deadline of September 15 for TikTok to sell its US business or stop operations in the country.

Tech giant says will “build on the experience TikTok users love, while adding world-class security, privacy, and digital safety protections.

Reports had said Trump would require US operations of the app be divested from its parent firm ByteDance, but the president announced a ban

Microsoft a leading buyer, report New York Times and Bloomberg as Trump likely to order ByteDance to sell or face a ban on its video app.

The short video platform also said it plans to add 10,000 US jobs in the next three years, as it battles complaints over its ties to China.

A government official claimed the “exploitation, objectification and sexualisation of young girls on TikTok” was causing pain to parents.