TikTok Towards Shutdown In The United States: Trump Ready To Intervene
Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban in US: ByteDance Must Sell by January 19. Trump Says: 'I'll Decide'
TikTok Towards Shutdown In The United States: Trump Ready To Intervene
The US Supreme Court has TikTok ban law upheld in US, rejecting the appeal of the parent company ByteDance. The latter had asked to abolish the rule invoking the freedom of expression guaranteed by the First Amendment. The decision, which will take effect on January 19, forces TikTok to sell its operations to a U.S. buyer for national security reasons.
However, the President-elect Donald Trump, who will officially take office three days later, he declared that the final word belongs to him"In the end I'll decide. You'll see what I'll do.".
The facts involving the platform
The issue originated in April, when Congress passed a law signed by President Joe Biden requiring Chinese company ByteDance to divest from TikTok within 270 days. decision was motivated by national security concerns, related to the handling of personal data of US users by the Chinese parent company. The law provides for a total ban of the app in the US if the obligation to sell is not respected.
Despite assurances from the Biden administration that it will leave the dossier in Trump's hands, the social network risks being blocked for 170 million American users starting January 19, unless the incoming administration intervenes. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said the law allows for aextension of the term only if a concrete sales agreement is presented.
President Trump's Possible Support and Negotiations with China
Trump has repeatedly expressed his appreciation for TikTok, which contributed to its success among young voters during the campaign electoral. In recent weeks, he has floated thepossibility of signing an executive order is suspend the ban for 60-90 days, allowing more time for negotiations. In a recent meeting with Shou Zi Chew, CEO of TikTok, Trump said that the platform “has a special place in my heart”. At the installation ceremony Monday is also scheduled for Chew's participation, a signal of thethe president-elect's interest in finding a solution.
In parallel, Trump had a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, described as “very positive”. The two leaders discussed trade, security and the TikTok issueThe American President appears very optimistic and for this reason he assured that he will work to resolve the issue, aiming for a peaceful relationship between the two countries.
The Supreme Court's position
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the ban does not violate freedom of expression, but is a necessary measure to protect national security. Judges stressed that TikTok collects personal data in a manner "extended” and that the platform could be subject to manipulation by the Chinese government.
A TikTok spokesperson said that thecompany is committed to finding a solution with the incoming administration to ensure the app's accessibility in the United States. In a video released on the platform, CEO Shou Zi Chew ha thanked the new President for his willingness to collaborate and assured that TikTok will “everything possible” to keep the platform active.
Scenarios for the next few days
The law provides that, in the event of Failure to sell, the app will be removed from digital stores and subject to heavy penalties for anyone who allows its use or distribution. However, a power granted to President Trump could allow him to extend the deadline by 90 days, provided that significant progress is demonstrated in the negotiations. The president could then choose to adopt this option to avoid an immediate shutdown of 170 million users.
With millions of users and businesses dependent on the platform, the TikTok's fate is now in the hands of the new administration. The balance between national security and freedom of expression remains the crux of the controversy.
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