Fri Jul 25 04:29:44 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, written from an Indian perspective, suitable for publication in The Hindu:
**TikTok Faces U.S. Shutdown if China Doesn’t Approve Sale**
**New Delhi, July 25, 2025:** TikTok’s future in the United States hangs in the balance, with the U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stating the popular video-sharing app will be forced to cease operations in the country if China does not approve a proposed deal for its sale. The ultimatum comes despite a prior deadline extension granted by then-President Trump.
Lutnick, in an interview with CNBC, emphasized the U.S. government’s insistence on controlling the algorithm that drives TikTok’s engaging content, a crucial aspect given the app’s massive popularity with approximately 170 million users in the U.S.
“Americans will own the technology, and Americans will control the algorithm,” Lutnick stated, outlining the terms of the potential deal. He indicated that a previous deal in the works that would spin off TikTok’s U.S. operations into a new U.S.-based firm, majority-owned and operated by U.S. investors stalled after China indicated it would not approve it following Trump’s announcements of steep tariffs on Chinese goods.
The developments highlight the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China, particularly concerning technology and data security. The potential shutdown of TikTok, a globally significant platform, raises questions about the future of cross-border digital services and the implications for users worldwide, including a substantial Indian user base who may see this as a cautionary tale. The outcome of this situation will undoubtedly be watched closely in India, as the country navigates its own relationship with Chinese tech companies and grapples with data sovereignty concerns. TikTok did not immediately comment.
First Piper 