TikTok Threatens to ‘Go Dark’ in US: Biden’s Move Required on Sunday – TK

TikTok Threatens to ‘Go Dark’ in US: Biden’s Move Required on Sunday

TikTok, the popular social media app used by 170 million people in the United States, is facing a potential ban that could see it go dark in the country on Sunday unless action is taken by President Biden. The app, owned by a Chinese company, has been at the center of a contentious legal battle over national security concerns, with the US Supreme Court recently upholding a prohibition on the app.

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The Supreme Court’s decision, made by nine judges, was unanimous, agreeing with Congress and the Department of Justice that TikTok poses a threat to US national security. The court ruled that the ban does not violate the app users’ first amendment rights, affirming a previous decision by a Washington, DC, appeals court to maintain the ban on TikTok.

This means that TikTok will no longer be available for download in app stores beginning Sunday unless it sells to a US-based owner, a move that the company has refused to make. In response to the court’s decision, TikTok issued a statement expressing disappointment and warning that it may be forced to go dark on January 19.

The Biden administration’s response to the situation has been criticized by TikTok, with the app maker stating that the assurances provided by the government were not sufficient to prevent the ban from being enforced. The Department of Justice has reiterated its national security concerns about TikTok, arguing that the app could be used by the Chinese government to undermine US security.

The ban on TikTok has sparked outrage among creators, first amendment activists, and civil rights groups who view the prohibition as censorship and a dangerous precedent. TikTok has argued that divesting or selling its assets to a non-Chinese corporation is not possible commercially, technologically, or legally, making compliance with the ban difficult.

During oral arguments at the Supreme Court, TikTok’s lawyer argued that the ban was an attack on free speech rather than a response to national security threats. However, the justices appeared to agree with the government’s arguments about the risks posed by the app’s connection to China.

Former President Trump, who has been a vocal critic of TikTok, has expressed interest in intervening in the ban and has hinted at using executive orders to suspend the prohibition. President Biden’s administration has indicated that it believes TikTok should remain available to Americans under a non-Chinese owner to address national security concerns.

As the deadline for the ban approaches, the fate of TikTok in the US remains uncertain. The app’s millions of users are anxiously awaiting a resolution to the legal battle that could see their favorite platform go dark. Time will tell whether President Biden will take action to prevent the ban from being enforced, allowing TikTok to continue operating in the US.

Picture of Aarushi Sharma
Aarushi Sharma

an editor at TK since 2024.

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