Reports suggest that President Biden will not move forward with the TikTok ban slated to take effect Sunday, a day before the presidential inauguration. According to multiple sources, including The Associated Press, Biden has opted to leave the decision to President-elect Trump.
An administration official explained the reasoning behind the move, saying, “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.”
The White House has not responded to further requests for comment.
The proposed ban on TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has sparked widespread debate. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for ByteDance to sell TikTok to an American owner to address national security concerns. “More time is needed to find an American buyer and avoid disrupting the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans,” Schumer stated.
Others, like Representative Ro Khanna of California, argue the ban violates First Amendment rights. Khanna highlighted the need for broader legislation to regulate data collection by social media apps. “Seventy-one percent of Americans want to protect data privacy. Only 31 percent want a ban on TikTok,” he said, emphasizing that Congress must act on bills addressing these concerns.
President-elect Trump has previously attempted to prevent the ban, even asking the Supreme Court to delay its implementation while negotiating a resolution. Legal experts and advocates continue to discuss the potential implications of the ban on national security and individual rights.
This decision marks another moment in the evolving debate over social media regulation in the U.S. While the focus remains on TikTok, lawmakers emphasize the need for broader policies to protect data privacy and address concerns about foreign influence on American platforms.
“It’s clear this issue isn’t just about TikTok—it’s about setting the rules for how we handle data privacy and national security moving forward,” said a legal expert involved in the discussions.
The ultimate decision now rests with the incoming administration, as the high court prepares to share its opinions on the matter.
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