President Donald Trump has previously executed two separate bans on known Chinese applications, WeChat and TikTok. As multiple media outlets would put it, ByteDance and other Chinese platforms, even Huawei, have been caught in the crossfire between Beijing and Washington.
The signing of the ban order came amid talks of other U.S. giants, such as Microsoft, taking over the social media platform. It was previously reported that the POTUS had given TikTok 15 days—or mid-November—to sell over its U.S. operations.
However, a few days later, news sprung that Trump sealed the ban with an E.O. and added in WeChat as well.
CNN was able to get a hold of a copy of Mayer’s memo to the employees, announcing his step down.
“In recent weeks, as the political environment has sharply changed, I have done significant reflection on what the corporate structural changes will require, and what it means for the global role I signed up for,” says Mayer. “Against this backdrop, and as we expect to reach a resolution very soon, it is with a heavy heart that I wanted to let you all know that I have decided to leave the company.”
Mayer, a former Disney executive, has only been seated for over 100 days as CEO, per Techcrunch. Meanwhile, Zhang Yiming, the founder and CEO of ByteDance, Mayer’s sentiments and acknowledged the fact that he joined the team at while TikTok was “arguably our most challenging moment,” The New York Times reports.
Nonetheless, the spokesman of TikTok told media outlets that they fully understand Mayer’s decision and that they “appreciate that the political dynamics of the last few months have significantly changed what the scope of Kevin’s role would be going forward.”
Meanwhile, it looks like TikTok will not go down without seeking justice as, reports have it, the company is suing the U.S. government for deprivation of due process and acting in good faith.
TikTok already filed the suit on Monday in the Federal District Court for the Central District of California.
The New York Times—ina separate report—quotes the company from its suit, saying:
“We do not take suing the government lightly; however, we feel we have no choice but to take action to protect our rights, and the rights of our community and employees.”
Accordingly, hiring Mayer as a CEO was said to be a move to appease the U.S. regulators—improve the app’s standing, and “bolster the app’s American credentials.”
Featured image courtesy of Hello I’m Nik/Unsplash
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