American real estate billionaire Frank McCourt is on a mission to save the internet by acquiring TikTok, believing that major platforms are harming society and endangering children. Known for owning the Los Angeles Dodgers and Olympique de Marseille, McCourt has long criticized big tech for fueling political upheaval and mental health concerns.
His initiative, Project Liberty, aims to create a new decentralized internet where users have control over their data. With prominent supporters like Tim Berners-Lee and Jonathan Haidt, McCourt sees TikTok as a key component to scaling his vision.
While not the only contender for TikTok, McCourt highlights the national security threat of American data ending up in foreign hands. He hopes the TikTok debate will shed light on data privacy concerns across all platforms, emphasizing the need for democratic control over personal information.
As the tech industry faces scrutiny, McCourt’s push for a new internet offers a glimpse into a potential future where users reclaim power from dominant platforms to shape a safer online environment.