TikTok's US Public Policy Chief Plans Global Transition Amid Ban Extensions

TikTok's U.S. public policy chief, Michael Beckerman, is stepping down from his Washington-based role to assume a global advisory position, according to a staff memo. Beckerman has played a pivotal role in defending TikTok against U.S. regulatory pressures and attempts to ban the app, particularly during congressional hearings concerning data privacy and national security. This leadership change comes amid heightened scrutiny, as President Donald Trump recently extended the deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok's U.S. assets by 75 days. The ongoing sale process is complicated by both intensified acquisition interest from companies like AppLovin and Amazon, and resistance from Beijing. The White House remains actively involved in negotiations, hoping to finalize terms by the newly set deadline. This situation unfolds against a broader backdrop of tech industry scrutiny, with other major platforms like Meta also facing government action.