Why TikTok is Banned in the US?

 some news agencies and TikTok influencers announced that TikTok had been banned and declared illegal in the United States. But which countries have officially declared TikTok illegal, and why? In this report, based on CNN and BBC sources, we will thoroughly examine the reasons behind TikTok's ban.

Why is TikTok Banned in the U.S. and Europe?

The United States and the European Union have banned TikTok, but they were not the first governments to do so. Even China itself has imposed restrictions on the app. Recently, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution requiring TikTok to sell its operations to the U.S. government by Sunday, January 19. It is claimed that TikTok’s parent company is a Chinese corporation subject to the influence of the Chinese government, potentially transferring sensitive data from American citizens to the regime in Beijing.

Discussions surrounding TikTok in Europe focus on a different aspect. EU officials argue that the app poses a high risk of addiction, especially for young users, and can also contribute to other forms of psychological harm.

The law requiring TikTok to find a new, non-Chinese owner or face a ban is set to take effect in january. This means that 170 million Americans could lose access to a platform they use for entertainment, news, and community engagement. This has created a real competitive threat to social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube. On Friday, the Supreme Court upheld the law, bringing the ban one step closer. TikTok itself stated that without intervention from President Biden, the platform would be handed over on Sunday.

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Will TikTok Be Completely Shut Down?

A statement released online late Friday said:

Today's White House statements by Biden and the Justice Department have failed to provide the clarity and certainty needed for service providers. Unless the Biden administration immediately issues a definitive statement ensuring the major service providers that the law will not be enforced, unfortunately, TikTok will have to be completely shut down on January 19.

Experts expected the app to be removed from Apple's and Google's app stores in janauary. According to the law, users who continue using TikTok beyond the deadline could face penalties. This means that downloading the app will no longer be possible. However, existing users will still be able to access it without security updates until it eventually stops functioning.

But a Biden administration told CNN on Thursday:

Biden intends to leave this decision to Trump to enforce the ban. Our stance on this matter has been clear: TikTok must continue operating under U.S. ownership.

This could mean that since Trump will take office the day after the ban goes into effect, there may be no one explicitly ordering app stores to remove TikTok on Sunday. Therefore, users should be mentally and emotionally prepared to lose access to the app unless they choose to use a V*P*N.

Who Supported the TikTok Ban?

The law banning TikTok received broad bipartisan support, passing the U.S. House of Representatives with a 360-58 vote. Republican leadership linked the TikTok bill to funding for Ukraine's military equipment and Israel's missile defense system, putting pressure on Senate lawmakers. The bill was fast-tracked in the Senate, and less than a week later, the Biden administration ordered all executive branch employees to remove TikTok from their phones within 30 days in February 2023.

What Does Trump Plan to Do?

Although the idea of banning TikTok first emerged during Trump’s presidency, he has since stated that he wants to save the app. Trump requested the Supreme Court to temporarily halt the ban’s implementation to give him time to negotiate TikTok’s sale once he assumes office as president.

TikTok CEO Shou Chew is scheduled to attend Trump’s inauguration alongside other major tech CEOs. This may indicate how serious Trump is about trying to save the platform. When asked whether he would attempt to overturn or delay the ban, Trump responded, "Congress has given me this decision, so I will decide." Trump also confirmed that he had a positive conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping about TikTok and many other issues.