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TikTok's journey from global sensation to Trump target

Microsoft Corp’s potential acquisition of TikTok’s U.S. operations is the latest twist in a two-year rollercoaster for the short video app, which has come under growing scrutiny from overseas governments as its global popularity soars.

US flags are seen near a TikTok logo in this illustration picture taken July 16, 2020. [REUTERS]

With TikTok, owner ByteDance became the first Chinese company to achieve global success with a consumer app. But amid rising U.S.-China tensions, the White House has threatened to ban TikTok and other Chinese-owned apps, citing national security risks.

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