The Article Tells The Story of:
- TikTok’s U.S. Ban Deadline: The app faces a shutdown on January 19 unless legal assurances are provided to its service providers.
- Supreme Court Ruling: ByteDance must divest its ownership, or TikTok risks being banned.
- Biden Administration’s Role: TikTok urges intervention, while the White House points to timing challenges.
- National Security Concerns: The DOJ supports the ban, citing data privacy risks linked to ByteDance.
TikTok Shutdown Deadline Approaches: Biden Administration Urged to Act
TikTok has announced plans to go offline in the United States on Sunday, January 19, unless the Biden administration steps in to resolve legal uncertainties. The company stated it requires clear assurances that key service providers like Apple, Google, Amazon, and Oracle won’t face legal repercussions for enabling the app’s availability.
The announcement comes after the Supreme Court upheld a law mandating that TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divest its ownership due to national security concerns. Without compliance, TikTok could face a ban in the U.S., forcing the platform to go dark for its 170 million American users.
Check Out Our Article of Can Biden or Trump Save TikTok? The Clock Is Ticking! Published on January 18, 2025 SquaredTech
Critical Legal Concerns
The issue centers on the liability of service providers who support TikTok’s infrastructure. The Department of Justice has confirmed its intent to enforce the ban, which includes hefty fines of $5,000 per user for non-compliant companies. TikTok has argued that without immediate action from the administration, these providers cannot risk potential penalties.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the importance of the ban, stating, “Authoritarian regimes should not have access to millions of Americans’ sensitive data.” However, as the ban’s deadline looms, lawmakers are divided. Some argue ByteDance should be given more time to divest its stake, with Senator Chuck Schumer warning that a ban could harm President Biden’s political legacy.
Check Out Our Article of Why TikTok Users Are Struggling on RedNote App: What Went Wrong? Published on January 15, 2025 SquaredTech
White House Response
The Biden administration has reiterated its support for keeping TikTok available to Americans but under conditions that address security concerns. In a recent statement, the White House acknowledged the timing challenge, leaving the responsibility of enforcing the law to the incoming administration.
President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to save TikTok but has yet to clarify how this will align with the law’s requirements. He recently discussed the matter with Chinese President Xi Jinping, among other trade-related issues.
TikTok’s Final Warning
TikTok CEO Shou Chew issued a plea to Biden, requesting immediate intervention to prevent the shutdown. In its official statement, TikTok criticized the lack of clear guidance from both the White House and the Department of Justice. The company warned that without swift action, the app would cease operations in the U.S.
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