TikTok Faces Ban in the US: The Struggle Between Law and Commerce

The deadline of January 19 is fast approaching, marking the final day for TikTok to either “sell out” or exit the US market. This is the result of an executive order signed by President Joe Biden in April 2024, requiring TikTok to divest from its Chinese owner, ByteDance, and transfer control to a US-based entity. Non-compliance will lead to a complete ban of the platform and its removal from major app stores like Apple and Google.

TikTok prefers closure in the US over selling to Elon Musk
The leadership of TikTok is resolute in not selling the company to Elon Musk, even if it means leaving the US market.

Legal Battle: TikTok Sues the US Government

Facing the threat of being banned, TikTok has taken strong legal action by filing a lawsuit against the Biden administration. The company argues that the ban infringes on the free speech rights of Americans. However, the court’s final decision remains pending, and during this period, TikTok must cease operations in the US as per the executive order.

According to Bloomberg, ByteDance had considered selling TikTok’s US branch to billionaire Elon Musk. This could have allowed TikTok to maintain its presence in the country while integrating into Musk’s social media platform, X. However, TikTok representatives swiftly denied these claims, emphasizing that the leadership has no intention of selling to Musk.

“We cannot comment on completely fabricated information,” a TikTok representative stated. This response clearly shows TikTok’s priority in protecting its brand rather than handing control to a controversial figure like Elon Musk.

Lessons from the Past

TikTok’s firm stance is not without reason. When Elon Musk acquired Twitter for $42 billion and renamed it X, his management style plunged the platform into chaos. TikTok’s leadership seems determined to avoid a similar fate for their “crown jewel.”

Currently, TikTok is one of the largest social media platforms in the US, with over 170 million users and 7,000 employees. A ban would severely impact both business operations and the large user community.

TikTok Internationally: Growing Restrictions

The US is not the only country imposing bans on TikTok. Other nations have taken similar actions:

India: Banned TikTok entirely in 2020 due to national security concerns.
Afghanistan: Banned TikTok in April 2022 for inappropriate content.
Iran and Kyrgyzstan: Banned TikTok in August 2023.
Nepal: Banned TikTok in November 2023.

In Europe, EU organizations and countries like the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark have prohibited government employees from using TikTok on official devices to ensure data security.

Interestingly, even China—TikTok’s home country—does not allow its citizens to use the platform. Instead, ByteDance developed Douyin, a separate version for the domestic market. These two platforms operate independently with distinct databases and content.

Conclusion: What Should TikTok Do?

Facing the risk of being banned in the US, TikTok faces a difficult choice: either sell to a new entity or leave this crucial market. Nonetheless, TikTok’s leadership seems ready to sacrifice short-term gains to protect the brand’s reputation and core values.

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