TikTok probes US inconsistency
TikTok has issued a warning that it may be forced to shut down its operations in the US if it doesn't receive assurances from President Biden regarding the enforcement of a potential federal ban. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The Chinese-owned app TikTok has indicated that it will stop its operations in the US on Sunday unless the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden assures that the platform won’t face a nationwide ban. Under US federal law, Sunday is the deadline by which ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, must divest its US operations or encounter restrictions.
In a statement issued on Saturday, TikTok remarked that “the statements issued today by both the Biden White House and the Department of Justice have failed to provide the necessary clarity and assurance to the service providers that are integral to maintaining TikTok’s availability to over 170 million Americans.”
The company further noted that “unless the Biden administration immediately provides a definitive statement to satisfy the most critical service providers assuring non-enforcement, unfortunately TikTok will be forced to go dark on January 19.”
This potential ban may arise from the 2024 Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which mandates that ByteDance sell its US operations by Sunday or face a nationwide ban. The legislation aims to address national security concerns related to TikTok’s connection to China. The company has dismissed claims that its Chinese ownership poses a threat, asserting it has “never shared” US user data with the Chinese government.
On Friday, the US Supreme Court upheld the law, determining that Congress did not violate the US Constitution’s free speech protections by requiring the app to be sold.
Reports suggest that the Biden administration has postponed the decision on a potential TikTok ban to President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to be inaugurated on January 20.
Trump has hinted at making a decision soon, stating it “will be made in the not too distant future, but I must have time to review the situation. Stay tuned!” He also mentioned having had a “very good” conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping concerning TikTok.
The platform's CEO, Shou Zi Chew, is anticipated to attend Trump’s inauguration and has expressed gratitude to Trump for his willingness to collaborate on preventing the ban. Trump’s national security adviser designate, Mike Waltz, suggested that TikTok could continue operating if a “viable deal” is established.
“We will put measures in place to keep TikTok from going dark,” Waltz stated, adding that the legislation includes a 90-day extension for ByteDance to finalize the divestiture.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
In a statement issued on Saturday, TikTok remarked that “the statements issued today by both the Biden White House and the Department of Justice have failed to provide the necessary clarity and assurance to the service providers that are integral to maintaining TikTok’s availability to over 170 million Americans.”
The company further noted that “unless the Biden administration immediately provides a definitive statement to satisfy the most critical service providers assuring non-enforcement, unfortunately TikTok will be forced to go dark on January 19.”
This potential ban may arise from the 2024 Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which mandates that ByteDance sell its US operations by Sunday or face a nationwide ban. The legislation aims to address national security concerns related to TikTok’s connection to China. The company has dismissed claims that its Chinese ownership poses a threat, asserting it has “never shared” US user data with the Chinese government.
On Friday, the US Supreme Court upheld the law, determining that Congress did not violate the US Constitution’s free speech protections by requiring the app to be sold.
Reports suggest that the Biden administration has postponed the decision on a potential TikTok ban to President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to be inaugurated on January 20.
Trump has hinted at making a decision soon, stating it “will be made in the not too distant future, but I must have time to review the situation. Stay tuned!” He also mentioned having had a “very good” conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping concerning TikTok.
The platform's CEO, Shou Zi Chew, is anticipated to attend Trump’s inauguration and has expressed gratitude to Trump for his willingness to collaborate on preventing the ban. Trump’s national security adviser designate, Mike Waltz, suggested that TikTok could continue operating if a “viable deal” is established.
“We will put measures in place to keep TikTok from going dark,” Waltz stated, adding that the legislation includes a 90-day extension for ByteDance to finalize the divestiture.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
