Republican state AGs await Trump-brokered TikTok deal, remain skeptical on app safety

President Donald Trump has hinted at a potential deal in the works to save TikTok from a ban, with the involvement of software company Oracle and a group of outside investors. The deal would see Oracle taking control of data management and software updates for the popular social media app, while ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, would maintain a stake in the platform.

Republican state attorneys general, who have been vocal about their concerns regarding TikTok’s security and data privacy issues, are keeping a close eye on the developments of this deal. Some, like Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, have taken legal action against TikTok in the past for allegedly lying about safety standards and concealing inappropriate material.

While some Republican state attorneys general are hopeful that Trump can strike a deal to protect the U.S. from potential threats posed by TikTok, others believe that if national security is at risk, the app should be banned altogether. Similarly, several Democratic state attorneys general have also taken legal action against TikTok, citing concerns about its impact on young users and deceptive practices.

Trump’s previous attempts to ban TikTok from U.S. access were met with resistance, but he has also acknowledged the app’s ability to reach young voters during the 2024 presidential campaign. After going dark earlier this month due to a legal battle over the divest-or-ban law, TikTok was reinstated for U.S. users following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

As discussions continue about the future of TikTok in the U.S., all eyes are on Trump and his administration to see if a deal can be reached to address the concerns raised by both Republican and Democratic state attorneys general. The fate of TikTok hangs in the balance as negotiations progress, with the potential for significant implications on national security and data privacy.