TikTok’s US future in limbo: Billionaire Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty proposes acquisition–Will ByteDance say ‘yes’?

TikTok is facing a potential ban in the United States due to national security concerns. Spearheaded by Project Liberty Founder Frank McCourt, The People’s Bid for TikTok has submitted a proposal to ByteDance to acquire TikTok’s US assets. “We’ve put forward a proposal to ByteDance to realize Project Liberty’s vision for a reimagined TikTok – one built on an American-made tech stack that puts people first,” McCourt said. “By keeping the platform alive without relying on the current TikTok algorithm and avoiding a ban, millions of Americans can continue to enjoy the platform.” Project Liberty plans to transition TikTok’s user base to a new infrastructure focused on user data control and privacy. Tomicah Tillemann, President of Project Liberty, emphasized the team’s expertise, stating, “We have the technology, resources, and team to complete a deal and protect TikTok’s position as a cultural cornerstone of the internet.” Tillemann added that while ByteDance may explore all legal options to retain its US business, the proposal offers an alternative that compensates ByteDance’s owners fairly while ensuring that TikTok’s creators and small businesses can thrive.