TikTok CEO seen at Trump’s innaugration ceremony amid the app’s ban in the U.S.

TikTok’s future remains in jeopardy following a national security law signed by President Joe Biden last April, which raised concerns over its Chinese ownership and the potential for data misuse.

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TikTok CEO Shou Chew made a high-profile appearance at President Donald J. Trump’s inauguration in Washington, D.C., as the popular video-sharing platform faces an uncertain future in the United States. Chew attended a church service alongside other dignitaries before the swearing-in ceremony.

TikTok’s future remains in jeopardy following a national security law signed by President Joe Biden last April, which raised concerns over its Chinese ownership and the potential for data misuse. The legislation mandated that TikTok divest from its parent company, ByteDance, or face a nationwide ban. Despite the app’s immense popularity among American users, its ownership structure has been a sticking point for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

President Trump, now in his second term, expressed a willingness to preserve TikTok under certain conditions. “TikTok has become a cultural phenomenon, and I want to ensure it stays accessible to millions of Americans,” Trump stated in a press briefing earlier this week. He also promised to issue an executive order granting the platform additional time to finalize a sale to a U.S.-based company.

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Chew’s attendance at the inaugural events emphasizes the app’s strategic push to maintain its foothold in the U.S. market. Analysts speculate that TikTok is actively exploring partnerships with American tech giants to meet the divestiture requirements while retaining its user base.

As Donald Trump takes office as the 47th U.S. President, the upcoming weeks will be crucial for the future of the video-sharing app and whether or not it will continue its working in the States.