The Biden administration is actively exploring measures to ensure that TikTok remains accessible to American users ahead of a scheduled nationwide ban this Sunday. The impending prohibition has raised concerns among policymakers, tech advocates, and millions of app users who rely on the platform for communication and content sharing.
Discussions within the White House, according to sources familiar with the matter, center on ways to delay enforcement of the law requiring ByteDance, TikTok's China-based parent company, to divest its U.S. operations or face a ban. "Americans shouldn't expect to see TikTok suddenly banned on Sunday," a senior administration official said, hinting at efforts to navigate legal and diplomatic complexities surrounding the issue, NBC News reported.
Deputy White House Chief of Staff Bruce Reed has reportedly been at the forefront of these discussions, fielding calls from advocates urging President Biden to intervene. The administration is balancing national security concerns tied to TikTok's ownership with the platform's significance to millions of U.S. users.
The legislation in question mandates ByteDance to sell its U.S. assets or risk a complete shutdown in one of its largest markets. Signed by Biden earlier this year as part of a broader security-focused legislative package, the law was intended to mitigate risks of data misuse or influence by the Chinese government. ByteDance has denied such allegations and has mounted legal challenges, including a pending Supreme Court decision on the matter.
Lawmakers such as Rep. Ro Khanna (D., Calif.) and Sen. Ed Markey (D., Mass.) have voiced support for delaying the ban, emphasizing the platform's importance to constituents. "I'm hopeful that President Biden will listen to the millions of voices who don't want the lights to go out on this app," Khanna stated.
Trump's incoming administration is also weighing intervention. Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, Trump's pick for national security adviser, confirmed to Fox News on Wednesday that the president-elect is exploring ways to "preserve" TikTok while safeguarding user data. Waltz suggested that Trump might issue an executive order to delay the ban for 60 to 90 days, allowing time for negotiations or a sale of TikTok's U.S. operations. "We're going to create this space to put that deal in place," he said.
The Supreme Court heard arguments last week in a legal challenge brought by TikTok and some of its users, who claim the ban violates First Amendment rights. While a decision is pending, early indications suggest the court may uphold the law, increasing pressure on ByteDance to divest its U.S. assets by the Sunday deadline.
As Sunday approaches, TikTok's operations remain in limbo. Without intervention, the platform would be removed from app stores, leaving users unable to update the app and risking its eventual obsolescence. Meanwhile, the administration is reportedly evaluating whether it has statutory authority to delay enforcement, even as it maintains that the law's national security provisions cannot be ignored.
