The Supreme Court recently ruled that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, must either sell the app to an American company or face a ban in the U.S. due to national security concerns. TikTok announced that the app would go offline on Sunday unless the Biden Administration provides a clear statement about its future.
Earlier on Friday, the White House said it would not enforce the ban by Sunday, leaving it up to the incoming Trump Administration to handle the situation. However, TikTok criticized the Biden Administration’s statement, saying it lacked clarity. The company stated that without a clear assurance from the administration, it would have no choice but to shut down on January 19.
A White House official responded by saying the administration had already communicated its position and that it would be up to the new administration to implement the law. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said TikTok could stay available, but only if it is owned by an American company or another company that addresses national security concerns.
Trump, who tried to ban TikTok during his presidency, has since changed his stance. He now wants to find a solution to keep the app available in the U.S. but hasn’t shared how he would do this. He invited TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, to his inauguration on Monday, and Shou thanked Trump for his support.
The Supreme Court’s decision was unanimous, with Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Neil Gorsuch writing additional opinions. The court noted that while TikTok offers a unique platform for expression, Congress has determined that the app must be sold to address national security concerns, particularly regarding its data collection and links to China.
Without action from the Biden Administration, TikTok will go offline on Sunday. Users in the U.S. will no longer be able to access the app, even with a VPN. However, the law allows the president to grant a one-time 90-day extension if progress is made on selling the app to an American company.
