U.S. enacts TikTok ban as Trump considers 90‑day suspension
A law banning the use of TikTok has been enacted in the United States. The app has ceased to function, although Donald Trump has announced the possibility of suspending the ban for 90 days.
In the U.S., a law prohibiting the use of TikTok has come into effect, causing the app to stop working. The decision stems from national security concerns related to Chinese control over the app. Donald Trump, the president-elect, who will assume office on Monday, has already announced the possibility of suspending the ban for 90 days.
TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, faces challenges due to new American regulations. The law requires ByteDance to sell the American arm of the application or face a ban on operations in the U.S. Politicians support the decision, fearing that user data could be accessible to the Chinese government, posing a significant threat to national security.
TikTok informed U.S. users about the suspension of the app's operations, expressing hope for a resolution. President-elect Donald Trump stated he would work towards reinstating TikTok, which could mean a temporary suspension of the ban to allow more time to find an investor. Interestingly, in a message to users, the company directly mentions Trump and emphasizes its willingness to negotiate. TikTok's CEO, Shou Chew, plans to attend the inauguration, potentially signalling a dialogue on the matter, according to "The Wall Street Journal."
In 2024, the U.S. Congress passed a law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok or shut it down by January 19, 2025.
This falls under the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act" (PAFACA), aimed at safeguarding national security by regulating apps controlled by foreign adversaries. President Joe Biden signed this law on April 24, 2024. PAFACA mandates that social media apps owned by entities from countries considered adversaries of the United States, like China, must be sold to entities outside those countries or cease operations within the U.S.
The United States Supreme Court upheld the law, agreeing that Congress’s concerns about data collection by a foreign adversary justify such actions.
Warnings about TikTok extend beyond the U.S. Canadian intelligence has highlighted risks of user data being transferred to the Chinese government, sparking controversies around privacy and cybersecurity.
American agencies have long warned about TikTok-related threats, including surveillance possibilities by Chinese authorities. The newly enacted law is part of a broader effort to reduce Chinese influence in the American technology market. It received overwhelming support in Congress.
Business relations between the United States and China are complex and fraught with tensions, especially concerning technological security, trade, and investment. TikTok, a Chinese app owned by ByteDance, symbolizes these tensions, representing both China’s growing presence in the global tech market and U.S. concerns about national security threats.
For years, the United States has viewed China as a strategic rival in technology. Companies like TikTok are seen in the U.S. as potential tools for the Chinese government to collect user data, which could threaten American national security. Concerns about TikTok include user data collection (like location, preferences, or contacts) and the potential for content manipulation or censorship critical of China.
Despite technological rivalry, the U.S. and China are deeply economically intertwined. China is a key trade partner for the U.S., both as a source of imports (e.g., electronics, clothing, or raw materials) and as a market for American products like agricultural goods, automobiles, or services. American companies, including Apple, Tesla, and Microsoft, have significant production and sales operations in China, making stable relations between the countries crucial for their continued success.
