TikTok's future in the US: Buyout or ban?
TikTok might vanish from the United States if its Chinese owner does not sell the app. The government cites security threats, while many internet users disagree with the decision. Will Americans have to bid farewell to the app?
TikTok, one of the most downloaded apps globally, may soon disappear from the American market. The Supreme Court of the United States is dealing with an appeal concerning a law that requires the Chinese owner of the app, the ByteDance company, to sell TikTok. President Biden's administration is worried about national security. The issue has sparked significant controversy among internet users due to potential violations of free speech.
Will TikTok disappear from the USA?
In April 2024, President Joe Biden signed a law mandating ByteDance to sell TikTok by January 19, 2025. The US government fears that Chinese authorities could be compelled to access user data or influence the content posted on the app. The app's management argues there is no evidence of such actions and that measures taken, such as storing data on servers in the US, are designed to ensure safety.
Both TikTok and many users claim that the law infringes upon rights guaranteed by the Constitution, including free speech. The app's lawyers stress that shutting down the platform will impact millions of people, who use it as a tool for work, entertainment, or communication. Moreover, for many creators, the app has become a primary source of income, and its disappearance would have immense social and economic repercussions.
Numerous internet users are critical of the entire situation. Online, they write: "Doesn't the government have more important concerns?", "I still don't understand why they are doing this", "'land of the free' - they said", "TikTok is literally my go-to photo app. I can't live without it", "the court is worried about the wrong things, banning guns isn't that hard", "ban TikTok but not guns, wow".
Biden and Trump in defence of the nation
Biden's administration defends the law, highlighting that potential control of TikTok by the Chinese government is a threat to the safety of the United States. Officials emphasize that even if there is no evidence of abuses, the risk is substantial enough to necessitate decisive actions. The US authorities are ready to implement a ban on the app if ByteDance does not meet the requirements.
Donald Trump, who will become the US president in January 2025, urges the Supreme Court to delay the implementation of the law. He asserts that his administration can find a compromise solution to the issue. Furthermore, he believes that his negotiation experience and electoral mandate will allow the matter to be resolved without the need to remove TikTok from the American market.
