Report says Microsoft in talks to acquire TikTok's US ops, Trump considers 'banning' app

Techlogy giant Microsoft is in advance talks to acquire TikTok's US operations, according to a media report Friday, even as President Donald Trump said his administration is considering to ban popular Chinese-owned video app.

"We're looking at TikTok. We may be banning TikTok," Trump told reporters at White House. India has banned as many as 106 Chinese apps, including TikTok, a move welcomed by both administration and lawmakers.

"We may be doing some or things. re are a couple of options. But a lot of things are happening, so we'll see what happens. But we are looking at a lot alternatives with respect to TikTok," Trump said in response to a question.

Wall Street Journal Friday night reported that Microsoft, headed by Indian-American Satya Nadella, is in advanced talks to acquire US operations of TikTok. deal could run into billions of dollars.

"A deal could be completed by Monday, according to people familiar with matter, and talks involve representatives from Microsoft, Bytedance and White House. Talks are fluid, and a deal may t come toger," Wall Street Journal reported.

China-based Bytedance is parent company of TikTok.

In recent weeks, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has accused TikTok of collecting personal information of Americans. "India has banned 106 Chinese apps, including TikTok, that threatened its citizens' privacy and security," he told members of House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday.

Media reports also said Trump administration will soon order ByteDance to divest of its ownership of TikTok's US operations.

"In its current form, TikTok represents a potential threat to personal privacy and our national security. I applaud Trump Administration for taking this critical step, but we must do more than simply remove ByteDance from equation," Senator Marco Rubio said.

"Moving forward, we must establish a framework of standards that must be met before a high-risk, foreign-based app is allowed to operate on American telecommunications networks and devices," Rubio said, adding he is preparing legislation to do just that.

Meanwhile, Senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal sent a letter to Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers calling for Department of Justice to open an investigation into Zoom and TikTok for reported violations of Americans' civil liberties and of ir close ties to Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

"Based on numerous reports, we are extremely concerned that Zoom and TikTok have disclosed private information about Americans to PRC and engd in censorship on behalf of Chinese government," Senators said.

"As tens of millions of Americans turn to Zoom and TikTok during COVID-19 pandemic, few kw that privacy of ir data and ir freedom of expression is under threat due to relationship of se companies to Chinese government," y wrote.

"Of particular concern, both Zoom and TikTok have sought to conceal and distract from ir meaningful ties to China, holding mselves out as American companies. This concealment is alarming – Chinese tech firms are toriously bound to draconian intelligence laws, media regulations, and extrajudicial pressure that compels m to censor and spy for China's state security services," Senators said.