Trump gives his 'blessings' to TikTok deal with Oracle, Walmart one after download ban

US President Donald Trump announced his support for the proposed TikTok deal with Oracle and Walmart for the US operations of the Chinese social media app on Saturday, September 19. In the past, Trump accused TikTok and other Chinese apps such as WeChat of posing a ‘national security risks’ as he claimed these apps shared personal user data with authorities in Beijing.

Read: TikTok Files Lawsuit In Federal Court To Block US Ban, Cites Freedom Of Speech

'Have given my blessing': Trump

After declaring TikTok a national security risk and even preventing federal employees from having the app on their office devices, Trump last month signed an executive order last month that would ban TikTok and other Chinese apps from operating in the US. The only way for TikTok to avoid the ban was to sell its US operations to an American company.

With the new deal, Trump said TikTok could now be based in Texas under Oracle and Walmart's control in the US. The US President added “I have given the deal my blessing,” he said. “If they get it done, that’s great. If they don’t, that’s OK too”.

Read: Trump Anticipates Quick Settlement For TikTok Deal, Says It 'may Come Shortly'

TikTok will not sell its algorithm

While TikTok might have to sell its US operations in order to continue functioning in America, ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, is unwilling to part with the popular Chinese social media app's algorithm. The parent company has made it clear that the apps source code is not up for sale.

As per reports, the decision to not add the algorithm to the sale was made in order to comply with a new technology export control list that states that official permission is required if ByteDance wants to send TikTok’s algorithm abroad.

(With AP Inputs)

Read: China Lambasts US, Asks It To Cease 'wrongful Actions' Following TikTok Ban

Read: ByteDance Unwilling To Sell TikTok's Algorithm, Wants US Buyer To Develop New Code: Report