Media Tip Sheet: U.S. Pushes for TikTok Sale


March 16, 2023

Person holding phone with the TikTok homescreen open

The U.S. wants the Chinese owners of TikTok to sell its stake in the app or face a possible ban. According to reports by The New York Times, the move is a significant shift in the White House’s stance on the popular mobile app, which has been under scrutiny over national security concerns.

GW's Susan Aaronson

If you’re looking for more context on the matter, please consider Susan Ariel Aaronson, research professor of international affairs and director of the Digital Trade and Data Governance Hub at the George Washington University. Aaronson founded the Hub, which educates policymakers, the press and the public about data governance and data driven change. Aaronson is currently directing projects on mapping data governance and writing on AI Protectionism, Public Participation in AI Governance, XR and International Trade, and data as a global public good.

“This is not a solution to the real problem,” Aaronson says. “The U.S. needs to do a better job of protecting personal data with a national law and incentives for anonymization and cybersecurity.”

If you would like to speak with Prof. Aaronson, please contact GW Media Relations Specialist Cate Douglass at [email protected].

-GW-