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TikTok faces a new challenge in the United States following the Supreme Court's decision to support a law that could force the platform to cease operations in the country. The law requires ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, to sell its stake to a non-adversarial entity to the United States in order to avoid a ban.
The ruling, which has the backing of Congress, highlights concerns about national security and the potential influence of the Chinese government through the collection of data from American citizens.
In response to the threat of a ban, Donald Trump, who is about to take office as president, has changed his stance on the popular app. During his previous term, Trump sought to ban TikTok over national security concerns, but now he seems more willing to find a solution that ensures the platform can continue operating in the United States.
In a recent statement on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump announced his intention to issue an executive order that would extend the deadline for the law to take effect, allowing time to negotiate a sale or a safe operating agreement.
Trump suggested in his post that he would like the United States to hold 50% ownership in a joint venture to keep TikTok operational. This strategy could represent a more favorable compromise for ByteDance, which has so far been hesitant to sell.
The outgoing president, Joe Biden, has made it clear that law enforcement will fall to the incoming administration, suggesting that any immediate action could be seen more as a publicity tactic than an effective law enforcement measure.
The court ruling has also raised logistical concerns. The app has begun to disappear from the Apple App Store in the United States, limiting users' ability to download updates.
U.S. companies providing services to TikTok, such as Oracle and Amazon Web Services, would have to sever ties with the platform if ByteDance does not finalize the sale before the deadline, offering a temporary truce.
The Supreme Court's ruling, made unanimously, supports bipartisan concerns that TikTok, under Chinese control, could pose a significant risk to national security. This decision has not gone unnoticed by millions of American users, including content creators and small businesses that rely on TikTok to reach their audience. If ByteDance fails to find a buyer that meets the legal requirements, TikTok could face a permanent shutdown on January 19.
The stance of Congress, as reflected in the law, expresses the intention to protect the security of sensitive data and to prevent any possible manipulation by foreign actors. These measures arise in a tense geopolitical context, where data privacy and technological sovereignty have become priority issues.
Trump, for his part, has stated that he will work to find an agreement that allows TikTok to continue operating safely in the United States. This includes exploring a possible extension of the deadline to find a definitive solution. The resolution of TikTok's future in the United States will largely depend on the negotiations that take place in the coming days, as well as ByteDance's willingness to bring on a new partner for its U.S. operations.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Situation of TikTok in the United States
Why could TikTok be banned in the United States?
TikTok could be banned in the United States due to national security concerns. The law, supported by the Supreme Court, requires the parent company ByteDance to sell TikTok to an entity not considered an adversary of the United States before January 19, 2025. If this condition is not met, TikTok will face a ban in the country.
What does Donald Trump propose to avoid the ban on TikTok?
Donald Trump has proposed that the United States acquire 50% of TikTok's ownership in a joint venture with ByteDance. This strategy aims to prevent the platform's ban and would provide more time to negotiate a sale or a secure operating agreement. Trump has also expressed interest in extending the timeline for the law to take effect.
How does the TikTok ban affect American users and businesses?
The ban on TikTok would affect millions of American users, including content creators and small businesses that rely on the platform to reach their audience. Furthermore, the app has already started to disappear from the Apple App Store in the United States, limiting users' ability to download updates or the app itself.
What is ByteDance doing to prevent the ban on TikTok?
ByteDance has appealed the law to the Supreme Court, arguing that it violates its rights to free speech protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The company maintains its stance that the measure is based on inaccurate information and seeks to continue TikTok's operations in the country safely.
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