US: White House launches official TikTok account
USA: THE White house on Tuesday launched an official TikTok account, despite the China-based video-sharing app facing a ban in the US on the grounds of national security concerns.
“America we are BACK! What’s up TikTok?” read a caption on the account’s first post on the popular video sharing app, a 27-second clip.
The account went live with a video showing footage of Trump declaring: “I am your voice.”
A couple of hours after the first video was posted there were just under 19 thousand followers, although US President Donald Trump’s own TikTok account has 110.1 million followers.
TikTok facing US ban, search for non-Chinese buyer continues
Trump has continued to allow the platform to operate in the US while extending the deadline for TikTok to find a non-Chinese buyer.
The current extension is due to expire in mid-September.
Trump had initially tried to ban the social media network during his first term as president, but has since reversed his position and has credited it with helping him gain support among young voters in his return to the White House.
“The Trump administration is committed to communicating the historic successes President Trump has delivered to the American people with as many audiences and platforms as possible,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
“President Trump’s message dominated TikTok during his presidential campaign, and we’re excited to build upon those successes and communicate in a way no other administration has before,” she added.
There is concern among US lawmakers that user data could fall into the hands of China’s government. Trump has been working on a deal for US investors to buy the app from TikTok’s Chinese parent, ByteDance.
