TikTok says it will go dark on Sunday unless Biden intervenes ‘immediately’
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TikTok has issued a warning, stating it will shut down its services for over 170 million American users on Sunday unless the Biden administration takes immediate action to ensure the company will not face penalties for violating a looming ban. The situation is the result of a bipartisan law signed by President Joe Biden in April, which mandates that TikTok must sell its operations to an American buyer by January 19, or face a ban in the United States. This deadline came after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to uphold the law, rejecting a challenge by TikTok’s owners.
The Biden administration has made clear that enforcement of the ban will be handled by President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration. While a White House official said the Biden administration would not penalize companies such as Google and Apple for hosting TikTok, TikTok expressed concern that this statement did not provide enough clarity to service providers, who could face heavy fines for continuing to host the app once the ban takes effect. TikTok has demanded a clear and definitive statement from the Biden administration to assure these service providers that they will not be penalized, or it will be forced to shut down its operations.
TikTok’s response follows the concern that its service providers are at risk of significant fines for allowing the app’s continued availability. These companies have communicated to TikTok that they feel vulnerable and uncertain about their legal standing, as they have not received enough assurance that they will not be penalized once the ban begins. This concern, coupled with the looming transfer of power from the Biden administration to Trump’s, has driven TikTok to issue a warning about shutting down on Sunday unless swift intervention is made.
In a video responding to the Supreme Court’s decision, TikTok CEO Shou Chew indicated that the company would continue to push for a solution to keep the app available in the United States. Chew expressed his gratitude to President Trump for his commitment to helping TikTok find a resolution, suggesting that the app’s fate may be in the hands of the incoming administration. Trump, in an interview with CNN, confirmed that the decision regarding the TikTok ban ultimately lies with him, signaling he may attempt to reverse or delay the ban.
This situation marks a dramatic moment in the ongoing debate over TikTok’s presence in the U.S. The Biden administration has argued that TikTok’s data collection practices and its ties to China present a serious national security threat. The Supreme Court’s ruling reflects concerns over TikTok’s ability to collect vast amounts of personal data from its users, which could potentially be accessed by the Chinese government. The court emphasized that the scale and susceptibility of TikTok to foreign control, particularly by China, justifies the government’s actions, even if such actions limit free speech.
The ruling has sparked questions about how the ban would be enforced, as there is no precedent for the U.S. government blocking a major social media platform. While the law provides the president with the authority to enforce a 90-day extension of the ban, this requires proof that significant progress has been made toward a sale of TikTok to an American buyer. So far, TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has refused to sell the app, and there has been little public progress toward a sale.
The legal challenges surrounding TikTok’s future in the U.S. are rooted in concerns about the Chinese government’s potential access to user data and the possibility of content manipulation that could align with Chinese government narratives. TikTok has maintained that it prioritizes user privacy and works to protect the data of its American users. However, the Supreme Court’s decision aligns with Congress’s national security priorities, which outweighed concerns over the app’s ability to operate in the U.S.
The timeline surrounding the ban has created a sense of urgency for TikTok, as the Biden administration’s power is set to end soon, leaving the matter in the hands of President Trump. TikTok is actively seeking assurances from both the current and incoming administrations to avoid fines and penalties once the ban goes into effect. Companies involved in TikTok’s operations are anxiously awaiting clearer guidance about how to comply with the law and avoid the risk of massive financial penalties, while TikTok itself is committed to doing everything it can to remain accessible to American users. The fate of the app could hinge on the actions taken by President Trump following his inauguration.
In the meantime, TikTok executives continue to lobby for a solution that would allow them to stay operational in the U.S., while legal experts speculate on the potential for further extensions or negotiations with the incoming administration. The issue remains unresolved, with significant legal and financial consequences at stake for TikTok, its users, and the broader tech industry.
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