Joe Biden rescinded the ban imposed on TikTok in the United States.
Ready, set, toke up! 🤘 Here's the deal, folks. TikTok, that wildly popular app used by nearly 80 million Yanks, is still going strong in the USA, thanks to President Joe Biden. He's put kibosh on his predecessor, Donald Trump's, plan to ban Chinese apps like TikTok and WeChat, as per BBC.
The ban was dogged by legal issues and never got off the ground. Biden explained he'd take a fact-based approach to figure out if the apps pose a threat to US national security.
Trump ordered a download freeze on TikTok, owned by Chinese company Bytedance, back in 2020. He considered it a potential national security risk then.
Now, in his new order, President Biden said the feds should analyze potential risks from Chinese apps with care, and tackle any unacceptable or excessive risks according to national security needs.
Under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA), Biden signed into law in 2024, ByteDance was pressured to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations by early 2025 or face a ban. But...
Key unresolved issues swirling around TikTok include:- Data security: The US government worries ByteDance’s ownership might allow Chinese authorities to snoop on user data, although specific evidence isn't publicly disclosed.- Influence operations: There's a lingering concern TikTok could manipulate its algorithm for propaganda.- Legal and operational uncertainty: The Supreme Court upheld PAFACA but Trump’s extensions have left ByteDance's ownership hanging, making TikTok's long-term status a little sketchy.
Though Biden has put the legislative wheels in motion for a potential ban, the future hinges on Trump’s negotiations and the viability of a U.S. acquisition—neither of which offers a clear-cut resolution to the security concerns.
So, there you have it! TikTok keeps on tokin', and it looks like there might be more twists and turns in this thrilling tale. 🎧🎉🎉🚀
- Despite President Biden's revocation of Donald Trump's policy to ban TikTok, concerns regarding data security, influence operations, and legal and operational uncertainty continue to surround the popular app.
- The US government is worried that ByteDance's ownership of TikTok may allow Chinese authorities to access user data without disclosed evidence.
- There is a lingering concern among politicians and general news outlets that TikTok could manipulate its algorithm for propaganda, posing unacceptable risks to US national security.
- The future of TikTok remains uncertain, as negotiations for a U.S. acquisition and the potential sale of its U.S. operations by early 2025, as required by the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA), may not offer a clear resolution to the app's security risks.
