Instructions.
TikTok
Link: https:
www.wsj.com/articles/microsoft-aims-for-a-deal-to-buy-tiktoks-u-s-business XXXXXXXXXX
Your question: The benefits of the deal are clear. But what are the risks? Will Microsoft still be able to succeed in China? How can Microsoft maintain good relations with China after one of its star tech firms is forced to divest some vital operations?
Given the weight given in your grade to discussion boards you must be extra careful with your expression. This is not texting or informal chat. It is like writing a memo at work. Always express yourself in complete sentences. This is an opportunity to hone professional writing (which basically means, very clear) and earn a good grade by practicing it. Write your posting on a Word document before you post, use spelling and grammar software and, if needed, have someone else read to make sure that it makes sense.
The dark side of being well informed about something is that we assume that others are at the same level, for which we tend not to be clear enough when we explain. Since we are practicing professional writing, assume that you are talking to someone who knows nothing about what you are talking about. Also remember that the best way to learn something is to teach it or explain it to others.
As you know, it is best to produce your postings as soon as possible. Maybe tonight. Make sure that you apply grammar and spelling software before you post, though. If you post at the last minute without reviewing your posting it will show. Each discussion board is 25 points. Postings submitted past Friday will not be graded or included in your grade.
You must make a minimum of 3 posts.
1- answer the question with a minimum of 25 words.
2- reply to someone else's post with and insightful question.
3- reply to someone else's post with an insightful comment that demonstrates your understanding of the course concepts. "I agree" is not an insightful comment.
4-Do not cut and paste. See checklist.
Your score is also based on the 4 criteria: Quality, Quantity, Relevance and Manner.
Use the article link provided above and also please find at least two more short articles related to the topic so that you can inform your argument.
Remember that the purpose of discussion boards are, other than applying what you are learning to a cu
ent real life situation, is for you to practice:
1-Good writing: complete grammatically perfect sentences.
2-Research: Add a citation list using APA format.
Draft your postings in Word or similar software and, before you post, make sure that you run grammar and spelling software and that your list of references comply with APA citation guidelines: https:
www.wikihow.com/Write-an-APA-Style-References-Page
Discussion Boards are 65% of your grade. Use them as an opportunity to hone your professional skills and to secure a good grade.
Microsoft Word - Checklist.docx
Checklist
We are using this opportunity for you to practice professional writing. This means
producing grammatically co
ect and complete sentences in a coherent order. The
procedure to make sure that you achieve that is simple. Before you post, use spelling
and grammar software and (if necessary) ask someone to proofread the posting to make
sure that it makes sense. Discussion boards (DB) cannot be made up because they are
interactive. You will lose 25 points for each DB that you miss. Don't hurt your grade.
Here is the checklist that I will use for feedback. If you see —for example— a C in the
comments section of the DB, that means that you did not follow C in the list below.
A- The Discussion Boards are for applying what you are learning to analyze a recent
situation, not for opinions. Avoid stating: “in my opinion” or “in my view…” Just state facts
and, when possible, support them with figures.
B- Spelling or grammar mistakes: use spelling and grammar software before you post.
C- Avoid expressions like “a lot” or “huge.” Use figures instead.
D- Sources:
1-Paraphrase or quote. Credit your sources using the APA style:
https:
www.wikihow.com/Write-an-APA-Style-References-Page
2-Do not cut and paste from readings. That is plagiarism, which is illegal.
3-List at least three references, including the assigned article.
4- Indicate the source at the end of the sentence where you apply it like this:
(McLain, 2020)
5-Enter the title References before your list at the end of your main posting.
E- Use the same font and size in all postings lest your work looks choppy.
F- Don’t state that you agree or disagree with a student unless you add a sentence
explaining why.
Inside the Microsoft Talks to Buy TikTok’s U.S. Business
Covert discussions began weeks ago. After the software giant’s CEO and Trump spoke Sunday, Microsoft said an agreement could include the video app’s operations in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
By
Georgia Wells
,
Michael C. Bende
,
Kate O’Keeffe
and
Cara Lombardo
Updated Aug. 3, XXXXXXXXXX:47 am ET
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Listen to this article
12 Minutes
00:00 / 11:54
Microsoft Corp. said it will move forward with plans to buy the U.S. operations of the hit video-sharing app TikTok, capping weeks of covert dealmaking that were almost upended by an 11th-hour intervention from President Trump.
The transaction could reshape the global tech landscape and further strain already tense U.S.-China relations.
Following a phone call Sunday between Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Mr. Trump, the company put out a blog post saying it would move quickly to pursue discussions with TikTok parent ByteDance Ltd. of Beijing and aims to complete the negotiations by Sept. 15. The statement, the software giant’s first confirmation it was interested in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. business, said the deal talks also entail the app’s service in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
“Microsoft appreciates the U.S. Government’s and President Trump’s personal involvement as it continues to develop strong security protections for the country,” the company said in its statement.
It added it would ensure that the data of American TikTok users is transfe
ed to the U.S., where it would remain. Microsoft said TikTok operations under its ownership would build on the popular user experience while adding privacy and security protections.
For weeks, TikTok’s Chinese parent company has discussed selling the app’s U.S. business to Microsoft, in talks involving U.S. government officials. A deal seemed close Friday, but then Mr. Trump expressed opposition, saying he prefe
ed an outright ban of the app and throwing a wrench into the talks.
TECH NEWS BRIEFING
TikTok's Rollercoaster Weekend
00:00 / 07:23
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The deal would land Microsoft the
eakout social-media player of this decade. It would give Washington a win over Beijing by
inging a Chinese technology crown jewel under U.S. ownership. For TikTok parent ByteDance it would resolve the national-security concerns that threatened to thwart its U.S. operations.
The proposed transaction gained the blessing of senior Trump officials, including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who saw value in an American company getting access to sophisticated TikTok algorithms that decide what videos users are served. Others, including Vice President Mike Pence, have voiced concerns. At a Friday morning meeting, officials from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., which has been reviewing an earlier TikTok transaction, were told a Microsoft deal was imminent.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, center, was among those favoring a Microsoft deal for TikTok. At right is White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.
PHOTO: STEFANI REYNOLDS/BLOOMBERG NEWS
In Friday evening remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One, Mr. Trump said he opposed a Microsoft deal and wanted to use his executive authority to ban the app in the U.S., a move favored by hawkish trade adviser Peter Nava
o.
The comments, when reported, floored those involved in the talks. ByteDance quickly made some concessions, saying CEO Zhang Yiming would sell his stake in TikTok. It wasn’t clear in the moment whether Mr. Trump was set on shutting TikTok out of the U.S. or simply negotiating. “Have you read ‘The Art of the Deal,’” one national-security official responded when asked.
The Beijing headquarters of TikTok owner ByteDance Ltd.
PHOTO: GREG BAKER/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES
The companies paused the talks as they sought clarity from the administration.
Mr. Trump recently heard from advisers inside and outside the White House about a need to save TikTok in the U.S. The app, filled largely with dance-offs and jokey skits, has become ingrained in the lives of millions of teenagers, some of them potential voters.
The negotiations over TikTok show the effects of Mr. Trump’s push to close U.S. borders to Chinese companies deemed potential national security threats—after decades of China keeping out many American firms—and also show how global corporations can be used as political bargaining chips. A deal with Microsoft buying TikTok’s U.S. operation would resolve one of the most dramatic corporate battles in the U.S.-China feud.
The race to rewrite TikTok’s destiny in the U.S. started in early July, after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo raised the possibility in a
oadcast interview of banning the app in the U.S. Officials subsequently said the app posed a security threat.
Your TikTok App Could Become American. What Does That Change?
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Your TikTok App Could Become American. What Does That Change?
Only days after President Trump threatened to ban TikTok, Microsoft announced it is pushing ahead with plans to buy the U.S. operations of the hugely popular video-sharing platform. WSJ's Eva Xiao looks at what it means for China's hit internet export. Photo: Frank Hoermann/Sven Simon/Zuma Press
U.S. officials have expressed concern that TikTok would let China’s authoritarian government have access to the data TikTok collects from Americans and other users. TikTok has said it would never hand over such data. Under China’s laws, companies operating there must comply with any government request to turn over data.
Officials also wo
y that the app could be used to spread Chinese propaganda and that the platform’s moderators are censoring content to appease Beijing. The Journal has reported that TikTok previously blocked videos related to politics, including those about the Hong Kong protests. More recently, it has allowed some political content on the app. The State and Defense departments keep TikTok off employees’ government devices.
This account of what happened behind the scenes is based on interviews with people involved in the talks or familiar with the discussions.
ByteDance CEO Zhang Yiming
PHOTO: GILLES SABRIE/BLOOMBERG NEWS
ByteDance tried to avoid offloading TikTok’s U.S. operations, as Mr. Zhang believed TikTok