Biden administration reportedly seeking to 'extend TikTok's life'
As the deadline for the so-called 'TikTok Ban Act,' which prohibits Chinese company ByteDance from continuing its business in the United States unless it sells TikTok, approaches on January 19, 2025, it has been reported that the U.S. government led by President Joe Biden, who has only a short time left in his term until the transition of power on January 20, is looking for ways to keep TikTok alive.
Biden administration looks for ways to keep TikTok available in the US
On January 16, 2025, American news media NBC News reported that the Biden administration is considering ways to make TikTok available in the United States even after the TikTok ban is implemented.
'Americans shouldn't expect TikTok to suddenly be banned on January 19th. We are exploring ways to enforce the law in a way that doesn't shut down TikTok,' an official familiar with the matter said.
by HS You
If the move goes through, TikTok's closure will not be the defining event of President Biden's final days in office, and the issue will likely be passed on to the next Trump administration, NBC News noted.
The next administration is also being cautious in its handling of TikTok. For example, in an interview on January 15, incoming National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said, 'President Trump is prepared to step in to maintain access to Chinese-owned video apps.'
And when asked about a TikTok ban during her Senate confirmation hearing on January 15, Pam Pondy, the attorney general nominee, refused to commit to implementing the measure.
These moves by cabinet members are in line with Trump's wishes, who has said he wants to keep TikTok around for a while.
As the 'TikTok Ban Law' looms, President-elect Trump says he wants to keep TikTok around for a while - GIGAZINE
But White House officials have stressed that if the TikTok ban is upheld, they will have no choice but to enforce it.
'We are not considering postponing the execution. We do not believe we have the authority under the law to do so,' one official told NBC News.
TikTok has the option to shut down the service abruptly on January 19th, or to leave the app running without updates or bug fixes.
The law in question required ByteDance to find a buyer for TikTok within nine months, a deadline that expires on January 19, but includes a provision that gives the president the power to grant a one-time 90-day extension to the deadline if 'significant progress' is made.
Elon Musk has been rumored to be considering acquiring TikTok, but TikTok has completely denied the rumors.
TikTok responds to reports that it may be sold to Elon Musk: 'Total bullshit' - GIGAZINE
In addition, users are increasingly turning to similar apps in anticipation of TikTok's service being shut down.
TikTok ban leads to 216% increase in number of Duolingo users learning Chinese compared to the same period last year - GIGAZINE
Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) said, 'Congress has already passed the bill. My hope is that the owners of TikTok will come forward and say, 'We will never share American data with the Chinese Communist Party, and the way that will happen is for the parent company to pull out.'' He suggested that the only way TikTok could survive was through a sale of the business.
Related Posts:
in Web Service, Posted by log1l_ks