Alright, folks, TikTok might be on the chopping block in the U.S., but Shark Tank’s very own Kevin “Mr. Wonderful” O’Leary isn’t letting it go down without a fight.
Here’s what’s happening:
The Buyout Buzz: Kevin O’Leary, the businessman, investor, and TV personality, is in the pool with Frank McCourt to snatch up TikTok before it’s potentially banned in the U.S. O’Leary revealed in a Fox News interview that he's is “near” close to finalizing a deal to save the platform.
Frank McCourt Why the Ban? Lawmakers are pushing for TikTok to be removed from app stores over concerns about its ties to the Chinese government. The claim? TikTok might be sharing U.S. user data with Beijing, posing a national security risk.
The Fallout Plan: If the ban goes through, current users could still use the app, but updates, new downloads, and even basic internet functionalities would be restricted—basically making the app unusable over time.
Congress Speaks: Lawmakers wrote, “We urge TikTok to immediately execute a qualified divestiture.” They’re pressing for the platform to sever ties with Chinese ownership, ASAP.
Kevin’s Hail Mary: O’Leary or McCourt will reportedly need President-elect Donald Trump on board to make this purchase successful. Trump, in turn, is asking the Supreme Court to pause the legislation to explore solutions.
TikTok’s Argument: The platform claims the ban infringes on Americans' First Amendment rights, calling it censorship. Still, the government isn’t budging, arguing national security outweighs free speech concerns.
So, is TikTok getting a lifeline, or are we saying goodbye to our favorite app for endless scrolling and viral trends?
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