TikTok was on the verge of being banned from the US imminently, but Congress is considering granting a 270-day extension.
In related developments, Chinese officials have refuted a Bloomberg report suggesting that Bytedance is contemplating a sale of its US operations to Elon Musk, the owner of X.
Current Situation Overview
This situation dates back to 2020 when then-President Trump threatened to ban TikTok in the US unless its ownership transferred to an American company by September that year. The deadline was extended twice, only to eventually lapse without any further action.
However, Congress re-engaged with the issue in 2023, introducing new legislation aimed at either banning TikTok or mandating its sale to an American entity. Bytedance contested this in court, claiming that the proposed ban infringed on their First Amendment right to free speech.
The court ruled last month, with judges unanimously dismissing the constitutional challenge. Hopes for an injunction from the Supreme Court now appear dim.
Potential 270-Day Extension for TikTok
A senator is working to pass new legislation that would provide TikTok additional time to negotiate a sale to a US-based company.
Senator Edward J. Markey has announced his intention to introduce the Extend the TikTok Deadline Act, which aims to postpone the deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok to avoid a ban by 270 days.
Markey emphasized the significant implications of imposing the ban this Sunday.
As the January 19th deadline approaches, TikTok creators and users nationwide are understandably anxious about the platform’s future, their accounts, and the lively communities they have built.
These communities are irreplaceable, and a ban would dismantle a unique cultural and informational ecosystem, silencing millions.
It remains uncertain whether Markey will garner enough support to advance the bill.
Denial of Elon Musk Acquisition Report by Chinese Officials
Yesterday, Bloomberg reported that the Chinese government is evaluating an offer from Elon Musk.
According to sources, Chinese officials are contemplating an option where Elon Musk could acquire TikTok’s US division if ByteDance fails to fend off a contentious ban on the app.
Chinese officials have begun discussing contingency strategies concerning TikTok as part of a broader effort to engage with the Trump administration, which may include Musk.
However, The Independent states that these claims have been denied.
A TikTok spokesperson remarked, “We can’t be expected to comment on pure fiction.”
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