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Frank McCourt is a businessman known for his ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers. More recently, McCourt is recognized as an advocate for user data control as founder of the organization " Project Liberty ". This article examines his recent endeavors regarding his attempt to acquire the U.S. operations of TikTok.
McCourt has gained media attention through his organization "Project Liberty" which recently launched a formal bid to purchase the U.S. operations of TikTok from ByteDance a Chinese based tech company. This move brings concerns of a TikTok ban from the US into question by challenging a forced sale of the popular social media platform.
"Project Liberty" which has been calling this "The People's Bid for TikTok" proposes an offer which seeks to establish a new ownership model for TikTok in the U.S. This proposal emphasizes data protection while giving all users more control over personal information. McCourt plans to maintain and grow this popular social media outlet with an aim to give power back to the end users.
McCourt states to have a secured verbal backing from investors for approximately 20 billion dollars for this project. Kevin O'Leary an investor from “Shark Tank” also became an integral partner in this proposed acquisition. "Project Liberty" also utilizes various legal teams for representation while attempting this enormous effort.
Through a change of ownership model Mcourt's stated mission aims to shift the platform into a better state. The proposed structure would move towards a user-empowered model rather than allowing large entities to maintain control. The desire of putting people in charge of how data and online communication is being used becomes more prevalent with this model being promoted by "Project Liberty". The core of all their ideas is to see ownership in the hands of the average user with new policies that allow the individual to choose rather than have the choice made for them.
The current status of the proposed TikTok ban shows how it became legislation when President Biden signed a bill citing national security reasons which calls for ByteDance to sell their TikTok assets or be banned from operating in the U.S. This law poses a threat that challenges First Amendment rights among users which allows for debate on both the right and wrong choices of the laws made by the U.S.
As the legal battles were fought both the supreme court heard the arguments from both sides of whether or not the government had the right to force a sale and ultimately made a choice to move forward which puts an expiration on the app unless new changes are made in ownership. Lawmakers including Sen. Ed Markey have also voiced support for a delay. Which has called for extensions to a set deadline using an act of congress. Sen. Rand Paul along with Rep Ro Khanna have been asking that the court consider the violation of personal liberties and free speech.
With the ruling in motion it will likely stop new downloads for the TikTok app from various platform stores like google play and Apple app stores. Although previous users will be able to continue to use the app that experience may end after a period of no updates leaving them with out a way to enjoy new app releases or possibly a working copy at all. A potential ban may be devastating to many creators, advertisers and small businesses on the app in the U.S. which means this outcome could have long lasting effects throughout many communities if allowed to take place.
Some have noted that President Biden could have the ability to allow a 90 day extension for ByteDance to continue talks on the sale. There was a statement on Trump's Truth Social about wanting to " Save TikTok ", as it was noted he made previous attempts to ban the app. This also shows how multiple viewpoints create a confusing space for solutions and that political maneuvering will be a key point moving forward.