TikTok was facing an imminent ban in the US, but Congress might be on the verge of awarding it a 270-day reprieve.
In related developments, Chinese authorities have rebuffed a Bloomberg report suggesting that Bytedance is pondering the sale of its US operations to Elon Musk, the owner of X.
Current Developments
This situation traces back to 2020, when former President Trump declared intentions to ban TikTok in the US unless the app was acquired by a US company by September. The deadline was extended twice before being allowed to quietly expire without further action.
Fast forward to 2023, Congress introduced new legislation aimed at either banning TikTok in the US or mandating its sale to an American-owned entity. Bytedance responded by suing the US government, claiming that the proposed ban would violate the First Amendment’s right to free speech.
The case was heard recently, with judges unanimously dismissing the constitutional claim. The final possibility rested on seeking a Supreme Court injunction, which now seems improbable.
Possible 270-Day Extension for TikTok
A senator is actively pursuing new legislation to afford the company additional time to negotiate a sale to a US firm.
Senator Edward J. Markey has announced plans to introduce the Extend the TikTok Deadline Act to postpone the deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban by another 270 days.
He emphasized that there are significant implications in allowing the ban to proceed this Sunday.
As the January 19th deadline looms, TikTok creators and users nationwide are understandably worried. They face uncertainty regarding the platform’s future, their accounts, and the vibrant online communities they’ve nurtured.
These communities are irreplaceable on another platform. A ban would undermine a unique informational and cultural ecosystem, silencing millions in the process.
It remains unclear if Senator Markey has the necessary support for the bill to be approved.
Chinese Authorities Refute Musk Report
A report from Bloomberg earlier indicated that the Chinese government was reviewing an offer from Elon Musk.
According to unnamed sources, Chinese officials are assessing a potential scenario where Elon Musk could acquire TikTok’s US operations if the company fails to avert the expected ban on the app.
Discussions about contingency measures for TikTok have already begun among senior Chinese officials as they navigate potential strategies involving Trump’s administration, including Musk’s proposal.
However, The Independent has reported that these claims have been denied.
In response to these reports, a TikTok representative stated, “We can’t be expected to comment on pure fiction.”
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