TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer quits amid Trump's threat, cites 'changes in political environment'

Amid reports of uncertainty and US President Donald Trump's looming threat, TikTok Chief Executive Officer Kevin Mayer on Wednesday quit company citing 'sharp changes in political environment', according to ncy sources. This comes a day after TikTok anunced that it was ready to file a lawsuit against Trump administration over US President Trump’s executive orders. According to ncy sources, General Manr Vanessa Pappas will take over post as TikTok's CEO on an interim basis.

“In recent weeks, as political environment has sharply changed, I have done significant reflection on what  corporate structural changes will require, and what it means for global role I signed up for. Against this backdrop, and as we expect to reach a resolution very soon, it is with a heavy heart that I wanted to let you all kw that I have decided to leave company,” said Mayer in a letter, cited by a news ncy. 

Read: TikTok's Parent Company ByteDance To File Lawsuit Against Trump's Ban Order

Read: TikTok To Fight Trump Over His Pending Order To Ban Its App

TikTok files lawsuit against Trump

On August 24, TikTok accused Trump administration of “furring president's anti-China political campaign". It said that US government’s actions were t based on solid evidence and facts. video app company filed a lawsuit at federal court in California against Commerce Department, President Donald Trump, and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross that questioned President’s  “impermissibly banning" of business and sought to overturn his executive order. "We are shocked by recent Executive Order, which was issued without any due process", TikTok said in a statement.

TikTok’s parent company ByteDance has been given a deadline till September 15 to sell its US operations to a US firm, amid apprehensions of cybersecurity risks and data harvesting. Microsoft has expressed interest in taking over video-sharing app's operations in US. Microsoft fully appreciates importance of addressing President’s concerns. It is committed to acquiring TikTok subject to a complete security review and providing proper ecomic benefits to United States, including United States Treasury", Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in a statement.

Read: TikTok's Parent Company ByteDance To File Lawsuit Against Trump's Ban Order

Read: TikTok Sues US Government Over Ban, China Backs Companies 'taking Up Legal Weapons'

(With ncy Inputs)