US President-elect Donald Trump has indicated that he would “most likely” grant TikTok a 90-day reprieve from a possible ban in the United States following his inauguration on Monday.
His remarks followed the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a law that bans TikTok in the US on national security grounds if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, does not divest from it—resulting in the popular short-video app potentially going dark in just two days.
“The 90-day extension is something that will most likely happen, because it’s appropriate,” he shared in an interview with NBC.
“If I choose to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday,” he added.
The TikTok CEO is set to attend Mr. Trump’s second inauguration in Washington.
Mr. Trump, who attempted to ban TikTok in 2020, has previously stated his intention to take measures to preserve the app.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew plans to be present at Mr. Trump’s second inauguration in Washington.
Mr. Trump mentioned that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed TikTok during a phone call.
In the meantime, TikTok has cautioned that it will cease operations in the United States unless President Joe Biden’s administration assures companies like Apple and Google that they will not face enforcement actions once a ban is enacted.
“Unless the Biden Administration quickly offers a definitive assurance to service providers ensuring non-enforcement, TikTok will regrettably be compelled to go dark on January 19,” the company stated.
The White House opted not to comment.
Companies like Apple, Alphabet’s Google, Oracle, and others could incur substantial fines if they continue to provide services to TikTok after the ban is implemented.
The law was passed by an overwhelming bipartisan majority in Congress last year and ratified by Mr. Biden, though an increasing number of politicians who supported it are now advocating for TikTok’s continued operation in the United States.
Read more: Joe Biden or Donald Trump can still rescue TikTok – here’s how
TikTok, ByteDance, and several app users challenged the law; however, the Supreme Court ruled that it does not infringe upon the US Constitution’s First Amendment protections against government restrictions on free speech, as they had contended.
ByteDance has made minimal progress in divesting from TikTok by the deadline stipulated by the law.
‘Foreign adversary control’
Concerns regarding TikTok’s Chinese ownership have persisted for years among US leaders, with the TikTok controversy occurring amid escalating trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
Politicians and the Biden administration have expressed that China might exploit TikTok to gather data on millions of Americans for purposes like harassment, recruitment, and espionage.
Content creators protesting outside the US Supreme Court earlier this week.
“Given TikTok’s scale and its vulnerability to foreign adversary control, combined with the extensive amounts of sensitive data the platform collects, the government’s national security concerns justify differential treatment,” the Supreme Court remarked in an unsigned opinion.
TikTok has emerged as one of the most significant social media platforms in the US, especially among young users who use it for short-form videos, including many utilizing it for small business promotion.
The company’s robust algorithm, its primary asset, provides users with short videos catered to their preferences. The platform showcases a vast array of user-generated videos that can be accessed via a smartphone app or on the internet.
Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that the ruling confirmed the law’s purpose in protecting US national security.
“Authoritarian regimes should not have unrestricted access to sensitive data belonging to millions of Americans,” Mr. Garland added.
What happens next
The Biden administration has stressed that TikTok could continue to function if it is relieved from China’s control. The White House indicated that Mr. Biden would not take steps to preserve TikTok.
Mr. Biden has not officially called for a 90-day extension of the deadline permitted by the law.
“Ultimately, this decision will rest with the next president,” Mr. Biden told reporters.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre indicated that actions to enforce the law “must be the responsibility of the next administration,” while the Justice Department noted that “implementing and ensuring compliance with the law after it goes into effect on January 19 will unfold over time.”
There are 170 million American users on the popular video-sharing app.
TikTok stated that these comments “have failed to deliver the crucial clarity and assurance required by service providers that are vital to maintaining TikTok’s service for over 170 million Americans.”
A potential buyer might still come forward, or Mr. Trump could invoke a law known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, asserting that retaining TikTok benefits national security.
So far, the only notable bidder to emerge is Frank McCourt, former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, who has estimated TikTok to be worth approximately $20 billion, excluding its algorithm.
