Biden administration considering alternatives to prevent TikTok ban – NBC
A proposed solution aims to ensure that the app’s shutdown does not characterize Joe Biden’s last day in office, as reported by the outlet. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden is looking for ways to keep TikTok operational in the United States as federal legislation threatens to shut down the short-video app on Sunday, according to NBC. The law, which Biden signed last year, mandates either the sale or shutdown of TikTok.
The White House is weighing various options to maintain TikTok for its estimated 170 million American users, the outlet reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
If the administration opts to move forward with this plan, it would prevent the app’s shutdown from coinciding with Biden’s final day in office and shift the responsibility to Donald Trump, who is scheduled to be sworn in on Monday. This action would mark a departure from Biden’s previous stance on banning TikTok. In the prior year, he enacted legislation requiring ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, to divest its US operations by January 19, 2025. Should they fail to comply, TikTok would be removed from US app stores and lose access to necessary infrastructure, effectively ceasing its operations in the country.
“Americans shouldn’t expect to see TikTok suddenly banned on Sunday,” an administration official conveyed to NBC, adding that lawmakers are “exploring options” to implement the law in a way that keeps TikTok available.
The legislation reportedly allows the president to issue a one-time 90-day extension if “significant progress” has been made toward divestment.
The measure was enacted to tackle US national security concerns, with lawmakers suggesting that users’ data could be accessible to China or that Beijing might manipulate the American public by influencing TikTok’s content. TikTok has consistently rejected these claims as unfounded.
Reports indicate that TikTok and ByteDance have sought a delay in the law's enforcement, arguing that it infringes upon the First Amendment rights guaranteed by the US Constitution, which protects freedom of speech.
During oral arguments last week, US Supreme Court justices appeared skeptical regarding TikTok’s free speech claims. Chief Justice John Roberts stressed a congressional finding that ByteDance is obligated by Chinese laws to assist in intelligence-gathering activities.
Lawmakers were “not saying TikTok has to stop,” NBC quoted Roberts as saying. “They’re saying China has to stop controlling TikTok.”
In anticipation of a potential shutdown, TikTok has reportedly prepared a plan to “go dark” on Sunday, with anonymous sources telling Reuters that American users would receive a pop-up message explaining the ban and providing an option to download their data.
Additionally, President-elect Donald Trump is exploring ways to delay the ban, including the possibility of an executive order to extend the compliance deadline by 60 to 90 days, giving more time for negotiations.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
The White House is weighing various options to maintain TikTok for its estimated 170 million American users, the outlet reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
If the administration opts to move forward with this plan, it would prevent the app’s shutdown from coinciding with Biden’s final day in office and shift the responsibility to Donald Trump, who is scheduled to be sworn in on Monday. This action would mark a departure from Biden’s previous stance on banning TikTok. In the prior year, he enacted legislation requiring ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, to divest its US operations by January 19, 2025. Should they fail to comply, TikTok would be removed from US app stores and lose access to necessary infrastructure, effectively ceasing its operations in the country.
“Americans shouldn’t expect to see TikTok suddenly banned on Sunday,” an administration official conveyed to NBC, adding that lawmakers are “exploring options” to implement the law in a way that keeps TikTok available.
The legislation reportedly allows the president to issue a one-time 90-day extension if “significant progress” has been made toward divestment.
The measure was enacted to tackle US national security concerns, with lawmakers suggesting that users’ data could be accessible to China or that Beijing might manipulate the American public by influencing TikTok’s content. TikTok has consistently rejected these claims as unfounded.
Reports indicate that TikTok and ByteDance have sought a delay in the law's enforcement, arguing that it infringes upon the First Amendment rights guaranteed by the US Constitution, which protects freedom of speech.
During oral arguments last week, US Supreme Court justices appeared skeptical regarding TikTok’s free speech claims. Chief Justice John Roberts stressed a congressional finding that ByteDance is obligated by Chinese laws to assist in intelligence-gathering activities.
Lawmakers were “not saying TikTok has to stop,” NBC quoted Roberts as saying. “They’re saying China has to stop controlling TikTok.”
In anticipation of a potential shutdown, TikTok has reportedly prepared a plan to “go dark” on Sunday, with anonymous sources telling Reuters that American users would receive a pop-up message explaining the ban and providing an option to download their data.
Additionally, President-elect Donald Trump is exploring ways to delay the ban, including the possibility of an executive order to extend the compliance deadline by 60 to 90 days, giving more time for negotiations.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
