Biden Administration Says “Americans Shouldn’t Expect TikTok [To Be] Suddenly Banned” on January 19

TikTok might just be saved in America as the Biden administration speaks out about implementing the ban just days before the sale deadline of the app approaches.

As one of his final acts in office, President Joe Biden’s administration has now revealed that it considering various options to keep TikTok available to the American people. While the app was scheduled to be banned this coming Sunday, January 19, an administration official released a statement reassuring, “Americans shouldn’t expect to see TikTok suddenly banned on Sunday.” According to NBC News, the official added that government is “exploring options” to “implement the law so TikTok does not go dark Sunday.” The administration official also told ABC News that “the Biden administration doesn’t plan to take action that forces TikTok to immediately go dark for U.S. users on Sunday.” In an official statement to the news outlet, a White House official shared, “Our position on this has been clear: TikTok should continue to operate under American ownership. Given the timing of when it goes into effect over a holiday weekend a day before inauguration, it will be up to the next administration to implement.”

While it appears that TikTok will not be receiving a hard ban on the previously specified date of January 19, it seems that the decision will be up to the next president’s administration. As per the law, TikTok itself is not required to go dark on January 19, however, it is the internet hosting services as well as app stores that could be on the hook for continuing to provide their services to the app. If internet services and app stores continue to allow access to TikTok, the law gives the Justice Department power to pursue fines upwards of $5,000 USD per user, which could lead to a major liability for these service companies. The law also states that the president has the power to grant a one-time extension delaying the ban for up to 90 days under three specific conditions. These would include TikTok’s ability to show that is actively on a “path to executing” a divesture from its Chinese parent company; “evidence of significant progress” towards a sale and progress that is sealed “relevant binding legal agreements.”

It remains to be seen how TikTok will flourish in America leading up to the ban date and beyond. TikTok users are already flocking to other apps like Red Note in anticipation of the ban.

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