TikTok Hearing Causes Last-Minute Halting of Pico 4 US Launch, According to Reports

TikTok Hearing Causes Last-Minute Halting of Pico 4 US Launch, According to Reports

Time Stamp: March 24, 2023 10:56 AM
Source Node: 2539779

The popular social media app TikTok has been making headlines recently, and not just for its viral dance challenges and comedic skits. The app’s parent company, ByteDance, has been facing scrutiny from the US government over concerns about data privacy and national security. This scrutiny has now reportedly caused a last-minute halt to the launch of the Pico 4 VR headset in the US.

According to reports, Pico Interactive, a Chinese virtual reality (VR) company, was set to launch its Pico 4 headset in the US on September 30th. However, just days before the launch, the company received notice that its product would not be allowed to enter the US market due to concerns about its ties to TikTok and ByteDance.

The reason for this connection is that Pico Interactive is partially owned by ByteDance, which also owns TikTok. The US government has been investigating TikTok over concerns that the app could be used by the Chinese government to collect sensitive information on US citizens. As a result, the government has taken steps to limit the app’s presence in the US, including threatening to ban it altogether.

The decision to halt the Pico 4 launch is just one example of how this scrutiny is affecting other Chinese-owned companies. In August, President Trump signed an executive order that would ban TikTok from operating in the US unless it was sold to an American company. This order has since been temporarily blocked by a federal judge, but the situation remains uncertain.

For Pico Interactive, the decision to halt the launch of its VR headset in the US is undoubtedly a setback. The Pico 4 is a high-end VR headset that offers a range of features, including eye-tracking technology and 6DoF (six degrees of freedom) tracking. The company had been hoping to make a splash in the US market with this product, but now it will have to wait and see what happens with TikTok and ByteDance.

It’s worth noting that Pico Interactive is not the only Chinese-owned company facing scrutiny from the US government. Huawei, another Chinese tech giant, has also been targeted over concerns about national security. The US government has banned Huawei from doing business with American companies, which has had a significant impact on the company’s operations.

The situation with TikTok and Pico Interactive highlights the growing tension between the US and China over technology and national security. As more Chinese-owned companies look to expand into the US market, they will likely face increased scrutiny and potential roadblocks. It remains to be seen how this will affect the global tech industry as a whole, but it’s clear that the stakes are high for all involved.