TikTok Seeks Assurance from Biden
TikTok has issued a warning about a potential shutdown in the U.S. if President Biden does not provide guarantees that the impending federal ban will not be implemented. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The Chinese-owned app TikTok is on the verge of potentially ceasing operations in the U.S. by Sunday if the outgoing Biden administration does not ensure that the platform won't face a nationwide ban. According to U.S. federal law, Sunday marks the deadline for ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, to divest its U.S. operations or confront potential restrictions.
In a Saturday announcement, TikTok stated, “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 expressed 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.”
The looming ban could arise from the 2024 Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which mandates ByteDance to sell its U.S. operations by Sunday or risk a nationwide ban. The intent of the legislation is to address national security concerns linked to TikTok's association with China. TikTok has rejected claims suggesting that its Chinese ownership is a threat, asserting that it has “never shared” U.S. user data with the Chinese government.
On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law unanimously, ruling that Congress did not infringe on the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of free speech by compelling the app’s sale.
However, reports indicate that the decision on banning TikTok is now in the hands of President-elect Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated on January 20. Trump has hinted at a forthcoming decision, stating it "will be made in the not too distant future, but I must have time to review the situation. Stay tuned!” He mentioned having had a “very good” conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping that included discussions about TikTok.
TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, is anticipated to be present at Trump’s inauguration and has expressed gratitude to Trump for his willingness to help prevent the ban. Trump’s future national security adviser, Mike Waltz, suggested that TikTok might continue to operate if a “viable deal” is achieved.
“We will put measures in place to keep TikTok from going dark,” Waltz said, adding that the legislation permits a 90-day extension for ByteDance to complete the divestiture.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
In a Saturday announcement, TikTok stated, “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 expressed 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.”
The looming ban could arise from the 2024 Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which mandates ByteDance to sell its U.S. operations by Sunday or risk a nationwide ban. The intent of the legislation is to address national security concerns linked to TikTok's association with China. TikTok has rejected claims suggesting that its Chinese ownership is a threat, asserting that it has “never shared” U.S. user data with the Chinese government.
On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law unanimously, ruling that Congress did not infringe on the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of free speech by compelling the app’s sale.
However, reports indicate that the decision on banning TikTok is now in the hands of President-elect Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated on January 20. Trump has hinted at a forthcoming decision, stating it "will be made in the not too distant future, but I must have time to review the situation. Stay tuned!” He mentioned having had a “very good” conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping that included discussions about TikTok.
TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, is anticipated to be present at Trump’s inauguration and has expressed gratitude to Trump for his willingness to help prevent the ban. Trump’s future national security adviser, Mike Waltz, suggested that TikTok might continue to operate if a “viable deal” is achieved.
“We will put measures in place to keep TikTok from going dark,” Waltz said, adding that the legislation permits a 90-day extension for ByteDance to complete the divestiture.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
