(Representative picture)
LONDON: Chinese tech firm ByteDance mentioned on Monday it was contemplating transferring the headquarters of its TikTok video sharing platform abroad, following a British media report that the unit might relocate to London.
TikTok is below heavy fireplace from US President Donald Trump and different American politicians over issues that it poses a nationwide safety danger, and Microsoft has emerged as a doable purchaser of TikTok’s US operations.
A UK information company reported on Monday that ByteDance’s founders would quickly announce their intention to arrange store for TikTok in London, the place different tech majors resembling Google and Facebook have a robust presence.
Asked concerning the report, a spokesperson for ByteDance mentioned an international transfer for TikTok was into consideration.
“ByteDance is committed to being a global company. In light of the current situation, ByteDance has been evaluating the possibility of establishing TikTok’s headquarters outside of the US, to better serve our global users,” the spokesperson mentioned.
Britain’s authorities mentioned earlier on Monday that the placement of TikTok’s headquarters was a choice for the corporate.
“It would be a commercial decision, and I’m not aware that one has been taken,” a spokesman for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson mentioned.
Any transfer by ByteDance comes at a fraught time in relations between China and the West, exemplified by the battle over use in 5G telecom networks of equipment made by China’s Huawei.
Britain had been making an attempt to stroll a tightrope over Huawei till it sided with Washington final month by banning the corporate from its 5G networks from 2027.
TikTok, whose stars resembling Zachary King and Charli D’Amelio have gained worldwide recognition for their transient video performances, has additionally been within the firing line of US President Donald Trump over supposed safety issues.
Trump, nevertheless, reversed course on a plan to ban the app after Microsoft Corp emerged as a doable purchaser of TikTok’s US operations and he gave the 2 companies 45 days to give you a deal.
London has additionally clashed with Beijing over the imposition of a brand new safety regulation in Hong Kong however Johnson has mentioned he’s a Sinophile, and the British authorities would welcome one other giant tech funding in Britain notably because the coronavirus disaster sends the economic system right into a deep recession and doable commerce disruptions loom over Brexit.