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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Technology
Josh Taylor Technology reporter

Australia may have to choose between a Chinese TikTok and one owned by Trump’s billionaire backers

Donald Trump with media mogul Rupert Murdoch
Donald Trump with media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Trump has suggested Murdoch could be involved in the deal to transfer ownership of TikTok’s US operations to American hands. Photograph: Craig Hudson/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Would you rather a Chinese-owned TikTok or one run by a consortium of Trump-supporting billionaires?

That’s the choice Australia is being asked to consider.

The Trump administration has outlined that a proposed deal for TikTok to remain in operation in the United States would transfer the control of TikTok’s US operations to a US company that will have seven seats on the board, with six filled by Americans. Donald Trump has suggested a consortium of US businesses, including Larry Ellison’s Oracle and Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch’s Fox Corporation, are involved in the deal.

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