TikTok's ban deadline is coming. What happens next?

Engadget - Apr 1st, 2025
Open on Engadget

TikTok's deadline to sell or restructure its US operations is fast approaching, with the current 75-day extension set to expire on April 5. President Donald Trump has hinted at an imminent deal, though details remain murky. Potential buyers such as YouTuber MrBeast, Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian, and Perplexity AI have emerged, alongside Oracle, which was involved in past negotiations. Each prospective buyer has different visions for TikTok's future, especially regarding its recommendation algorithm, which ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese owner, is unwilling to relinquish.

The situation is further complicated by legal and diplomatic challenges. The White House is considering allowing current US investors to transition their stakes into a new independent TikTok entity, a move that might bypass a full sale. However, this approach may conflict with recent US legislation demanding divestment from foreign-controlled applications. Moreover, Chinese officials' approval remains uncertain. If no deal is reached by the deadline, TikTok is unlikely to face immediate shutdown, as Trump has indicated a willingness to extend the deadline, though the legality of such an action is questionable.

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RATING

5.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and relevant overview of the approaching deadline for TikTok's U.S. operations and the potential outcomes. It effectively highlights the business and political stakes involved but lacks depth in exploring the broader implications for users and national security. The speculative nature of some claims, particularly regarding potential buyers, and the lack of robust source attribution weaken its overall accuracy and reliability. While the story is clear and accessible, it would benefit from greater transparency and a more balanced representation of perspectives. Despite these limitations, the article addresses a topic of significant public interest and has the potential to engage readers and provoke discussion, albeit with limited depth and impact.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story accurately reports the approaching deadline for TikTok to sell or cede its U.S. operations, set for April 5. However, the claim about the potential buyers, such as MrBeast and Perplexity AI, seems speculative and lacks concrete evidence from credible sources. The mention of Oracle as a potential buyer aligns with past negotiations but requires current verification. Additionally, the legal concerns related to the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act are accurately mentioned, though the article could benefit from more detailed legal analysis to support these claims. The extension possibility mentioned by Trump is consistent with past actions but lacks clarity on legal feasibility.

5
Balance

The article predominantly focuses on the potential business outcomes for TikTok, with less emphasis on the broader implications for users and national security. While it mentions national security concerns, it does not delve deeply into the perspectives of cybersecurity experts or privacy advocates. The story also lacks representation from TikTok's current user base or employees who might be affected by the sale or operational changes. This creates an imbalance by primarily highlighting the business and political aspects without fully exploring the social and security dimensions.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its presentation, outlining the potential outcomes for TikTok in a straightforward manner. It effectively separates different scenarios, such as potential buyers and alternative arrangements, which aids reader comprehension. However, the piece could improve in clarity by providing more context on the legal and political background influencing these developments. The language is accessible, but the lack of detailed explanations for some complex issues, like the algorithm's significance, may hinder full understanding for readers unfamiliar with the topic.

4
Source quality

The article does not explicitly cite sources for many of its claims, such as the potential buyers and the details of the proposed deals. While it references statements by President Trump, it lacks direct quotes or links to official statements or press releases. The mention of The New York Times and Financial Times provides some credibility, but the lack of direct citations or hyperlinks to these reports weakens the overall reliability. The story would benefit from a more robust integration of authoritative sources.

3
Transparency

The article lacks transparency regarding the sources of its information, especially concerning the identities and intentions of potential buyers. It does not disclose the methodology behind its claims, such as how it determined the list of interested buyers or the legal implications of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. The story would benefit from greater disclosure of how information was obtained and any potential biases or conflicts of interest that may affect the reporting.

Sources

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zknuGXx11RM
  2. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/where-things-stand-with-tiktok-less-than-a-month-before-its-next-sale-deadline