For the Chinese authorities, selling TikTok to Elon Musk might mean handing the platform over to an ally whose business empire is heavily dependent on the Chinese market, while also being someone whose opinions are given significant weight by future U.

EXCLUSIVE: Rumours Elon Musk could buy TikTok or broker a deal have swirled in recent days in a move that could transform the video-sharing platform and make both parties even more powerful, an expert has said.