TikTok chief Kevin Mayer quits in wake of Trump ban threat

Earlier this month, the US president signed an executive order to block TikTok if ByteDance did not end the app’s US operations by the middle of September. A week later, he issued another order giving ByteDance 90 days to complete the deal.

In June, the company was also on the receiving end of a ban from the Indian government after it blocked 59 Chinese apps following a border clash between India and China.

Mayer wrote to the Indian government saying Beijing had never requested user data, nor would TikTok turn it over if asked.

ByteDance has been in talks to sell TikTok’s North American, Australian and New Zealand operations, which could be worth $25bn (£18.9bn), to companies including Microsoft Corp and Oracle, Reuters reported.

Mr Mayer only officially took up the role at TikTok on June 1. 

TikTok said: “We appreciate that the political dynamics of the last few months have significantly changed what the scope of Kevin’s role would be going forward, and fully respect his decision. We thank him for his time at the company and wish him well.”