Biden won't block TikTok, leaves it to Trump, media says
Illustrative photo: Biden won't block TikTok in the US, will leave it to Trump (Getty Images)
US President Joe Biden will not impose a ban on TikTok. He will leave the fate of the app to the newly elected head of the White House, Donald Trump, according to the Associated Press (AP).
Last year, Congress adopted a law signed by Biden that required TikTok's parent company ByteDance to sell the company by January 19, the day before Trump's inauguration. But, according to the unnamed official, the current White House administration will leave the issue of the ban to Trump's discretion.
“Trump, who once called to ban the app, has since pledged to keep it available in the US, though his transition team has not said how they intend to accomplish that.,” AP writes.
Meanwhile, incoming National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said that the federal law that could ban TikTok also allows for an extension if “a viable deal is on the table.”
According to Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, he spoke with Biden and urged him to extend the deadline for the ban, as more time is needed to find a US buyer and not disrupt the lives of millions of Americans.
This Wednesday, Democrats tried to pass a law that would have delayed the ban, but it was blocked.
TikTok ban in the United States
In April 2024, Biden signed a law that makes it possible to ban TikTok in the United States. According to the document, ByteDance had 270 days to sell the app to an American company, otherwise, it would be banned from US app stores and internet hosts that support it.
In December, the Court of Appeals upheld the aforementioned law.
