President Joe Biden's administration is exploring ways to keep TikTok accessible in the U.S. as a potential ban looms on Sunday, NBC reported. Officials are evaluating measures to delay the app's shutdown, possibly deferring the decision to President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on Monday.
The TikTok ban, approved by Congress, stems from concerns over data collection and national security risks tied to the Chinese-owned app. However, the decision has faced public backlash due to TikTok's popularity and its role as a revenue source for creators.
Incoming Trump national security advisor Mike Waltz expressed intentions to preserve access to TikTok, while attorney general nominee Pam Bondi refrained from committing to enforcing the ban during her Senate confirmation hearing.
ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, and Chinese officials are considering options to prevent the ban. One possibility reportedly involves Beijing brokering a sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, leveraging his proximity to the Trump administration.
The potential ban could benefit competing platforms like YouTube and Instagram, which have introduced similar short-video features to capitalize on TikTok's success. These platforms have rushed to attract users amid the uncertainty surrounding TikTok.
The Biden administration's decision could have significant implications for U.S.-China relations, social media dynamics, and content creators dependent on TikTok. The app's future remains uncertain, but its widespread influence ensures any action will be closely watched.