Jan 6 (Reuters) - TikTok has stopped a hiring process for consultants that would help it implement a potential security agreement with the United States, according to two people familiar with the matter, as opposition to such a deal among U.S. officials grows. As part of these negotiations, TikTok has been putting together a program to assure the U.S. government that it would comply with their security agreement. In its explanation to consultants for the move, TikTok cited "recent developments", without elaborating, one of the sources said. A spokeswoman for TikTok confirmed that the company had paused the hiring process for third-party security vendors because CFIUS has not yet approved the security agreement. TikTok had hoped it would have reached a deal with the U.S. government by now, the spokeswoman added.

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