In April 2024, President Joe Biden signed an executive order requiring TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, and sell to a U.S. entity. Non-compliance would result in a ban on the platform in the country. This decision reflects national security concerns, particularly regarding user data protection and content manipulation.
Reasons for TikTok’s Ban in the US
The Biden administration cited two main reasons for banning TikTok:
- User data leakage risks: Concerns that China could access personal information of U.S. users through TikTok.
- Content media influence: TikTok’s potential to manipulate content to promote pro-Chinese government views.
The ban on TikTok in the US received approval from Congress and the Supreme Court, something former President Trump failed to achieve during his term (Illustration: Shutterstock).
TikTok appealed this decision to the Supreme Court but was unsuccessful. The final ruling confirmed the ban, effective from January 19, forcing TikTok to find a U.S. entity to purchase the company.
TikTok Resumes Operations After 12 Hours
On the night of January 18 and early morning of January 19, TikTok users in the U.S. received notifications that the app was unavailable. Not only TikTok, but several other ByteDance apps were also removed from Google Play and App Store in the U.S., including TikTok Studio, CapCut, Lemon8, and others.
U.S. TikTok users couldn’t use the app for about 12 hours (Photo: PCMag).
However, after approximately 12 hours, TikTok suddenly resumed operations. TikTok representatives explained that incoming President Donald Trump provided “necessary assurances,” delaying enforcement of the ban to give TikTok more time to seek a long-term solution. Trump wanted people to watch his inauguration ceremony on TikTok. “Americans deserve to see my exciting inauguration,” he shared on Truth Social.
Long-Term Solutions for TikTok in the US
To continue operating in the U.S., ByteDance needs to find a suitable U.S. entity to buy TikTok. Instead of demanding a full sale, Trump seems to favor a joint venture between the U.S. and China. Under this arrangement, the U.S. would hold 50% ownership in the venture.
ByteDance could retain half of TikTok’s management rights in the U.S. through the joint venture (Photo: Getty).
This solution reduces pressure on ByteDance while partially addressing U.S. national security concerns.
Changing Attitudes Toward TikTok by President Trump
During his first term, Trump strongly advocated for banning TikTok in the U.S. However, his attitude shifted dramatically after his re-election. One key reason was his improved relationship with TikTok’s U.S. CEO, Shou Zi Chew.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew played a role in changing Trump’s view on the platform (Photo: The Australian).
Trump now considers TikTok an important communication channel to connect with younger generations and promote his campaign. This explains why he supported TikTok instead of enforcing the ban.
Conclusion
The TikTok saga in the U.S. exemplifies how political, economic, and technological factors intertwine in a globalized world. Despite initial controversy, the U.S. government’s flexible approach opened opportunities for TikTok to continue operating. To maintain its position in the U.S. market, TikTok must quickly find a solution that satisfies both national security concerns and business interests.
Readers interested can follow further developments to better understand TikTok’s future in the U.S.
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