As the clock ticks towards Sunday, the popular social media platform TikTok is facing a potential shutdown in the United States, unless President Joe Biden steps in to halt the process, the company reported on Saturday. TikTok has cited a lack of “necessary clarity and security” from the White House as a critical factor in its decision-making about remaining operational in the U.S.
This development follows a Friday ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, allowing the continuation of a ban on the app. The Biden administration has indicated that the implementation of this law will be in the hands of Donald Trump, who is set to be inaugurated as President on Monday. In a statement to CNN, Trump remarked, “In the end it’s up to me, so you’ll see what I’m going to do,” highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the app’s future.
Under current legislation, ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, is required to divest its American operations to a U.S.-based entity. This transaction needs to be completed by January 19th, a deadline that TikTok has consistently pushed back against. The primary concern driving the ban is the fear of Chinese interference. U.S. intelligence agencies have flagged TikTok as a potential national security threat, citing risks of American user data being transferred to the Chinese government, alongside fears of Chinese influence on American users through the platform.
TikTok, however, has refuted these claims, asserting that it does not have close ties with the Chinese government. Moreover, the company emphasizes its ownership structure, pointing out that it is predominantly controlled by international investors, challenging the perception that it is a wholly “Chinese” entity. As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the Biden administration and President-elect Trump to see how they navigate this complex intersection of technology, commerce, and national security.