TikTok’s future in U.S. remains uncertain as White House pushes new deal

TikTok users are bracing for changes as the future of the popular social media platform hangs in the balance.

(NBC)- TikTok users are bracing for changes as the future of the popular social media platform hangs in the balance. While former President Donald Trump has suggested a deal is “close,” Chinese confirmation has yet to materialize, leaving negotiations in limbo.

The White House has outlined what a U.S.-controlled version of TikTok could look like, including who may be involved. Trump has hinted that the Murdoch family could play a role. However, a source familiar with the matter tells NBC News that Lachlan Murdoch will not be personally involved. Instead, Fox Corp.—which Murdoch officially took over earlier this month along with News Corp.—could participate in the deal.

Under the proposed plan, TikTok would be spun off from Chinese ownership. A U.S. version of the app would be majority-owned and controlled by Americans, with six of seven board seats held by U.S. representatives. Importantly, the U.S. would also assume control of the platform’s algorithm, which determines what appears in the feeds of more than 170 million American users.

Technology journalist Lance Ulanoff says the algorithm is TikTok’s “most valuable piece,” calling it one of the most sophisticated in the industry. He explained that U.S. officials want to ensure the code is free from potential Chinese state influence. Still, Ulanoff cautioned that users could face disruptions if a new app is introduced, raising concerns over whether years of user history and identity data would carry over seamlessly.

TikTok was briefly shut down in the U.S. in January under a bipartisan law signed by then-President Biden, which banned the app unless it was sold to an American company. Now, with a mid-December deadline approaching, the White House says a new deal with China is expected to be finalized in the coming days.