The Biden administration has reassured TikTok’s 170 million American users. They said the popular social media platform will not face a sudden ban. This reassurance comes even as the January 19 deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to divest its U.S. operations draws near.
Officials made a statement on Thursday, January 16. They emphasized that Americans should not expect TikTok to be immediately inaccessible. This concern arises if ByteDance does not finalize a sale by Sunday. “We are exploring options to ensure the platform does not disappear overnight,” the administration confirmed.
President Joe Biden’s term officially ends on January 20, leaving the responsibility of enforcing the ban to the incoming administration led by Donald Trump. While President Trump had previously advocated for banning TikTok, he later pivoted during his campaign, promising to “save TikTok.” Whether his administration will move swiftly on the issue remains uncertain.
The legal battle surrounding TikTok’s future has also reached the Supreme Court, where arguments were presented on January 10. ByteDance’s legal team is led by attorney Noel Francisco. They described the government’s push for a sale or ban as “uniquely harsh treatment.” They believe this could irreversibly alter TikTok’s platform. However, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar raised national security concerns, arguing that TikTok’s data-sharing obligations with the Chinese government could expose American users to espionage and blackmail risks.
As the situation develops, the next few days will be critical in determining whether TikTok can continue under U.S. ownership or face more stringent restrictions under the new administration.
