Trump's TikTok Ban: Biden's Stance

Sophie Wakehurst

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Post on Jan 17, 2025

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Trump's TikTok Ban: Biden's Stance and the Ongoing Debate

The potential ban of TikTok, the popular short-form video app, in the United States has been a subject of intense political and legal debate since the Trump administration. While former President Trump issued executive orders aiming to prohibit the app, President Biden's approach has been markedly different, leading to ongoing uncertainty about TikTok's future in the US. This article explores the evolution of this issue, examining Trump's actions, Biden's current stance, and the complex national security concerns at play.

Trump's Attempts to Ban TikTok

Former President Trump's efforts to ban TikTok stemmed primarily from concerns about national security. His administration argued that the app, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, posed a risk of data collection and potential Chinese government influence. These concerns centered on:

• Data Security: The fear that TikTok could be used to collect vast amounts of user data, including sensitive personal information, and potentially share it with the Chinese government.
• Censorship: Concerns that the Chinese government could exert pressure on ByteDance to censor content critical of the regime.
• Influence Operations: The possibility of TikTok being used for propaganda or disinformation campaigns.

Trump's executive orders aimed to address these concerns, initially attempting to force a sale of TikTok's US operations to an American company. When this proved unsuccessful, the orders moved towards an outright ban, though these faced legal challenges and were ultimately not fully implemented before leaving office.

The Legal Battles and Setbacks

Trump's executive orders faced immediate legal challenges, with ByteDance arguing they violated due process and free speech rights. These legal challenges created significant obstacles, delaying any ban and highlighting the complexities of regulating foreign-owned technology companies. The legal battles also underscored the lack of clear evidence directly linking TikTok to specific instances of data misuse or censorship.

Biden's Approach: A Shift in Strategy

President Biden revoked Trump's executive orders, opting for a different approach to addressing national security concerns. Instead of an outright ban, the Biden administration has focused on:

• Negotiations and Reviews: The administration has engaged in negotiations with ByteDance and explored alternative solutions, including stricter data security requirements and independent audits.
• Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS): The Biden administration has leveraged CFIUS, an interagency committee that reviews foreign investments in the US, to address national security concerns. CFIUS investigations continue to scrutinize TikTok's operations and data handling practices.
• National Security Concerns: Although pursuing a less drastic approach than Trump, the Biden administration has consistently emphasized the ongoing national security concerns related to TikTok's data security and potential influence.

The Ongoing Uncertainty

While Biden's approach has avoided the immediate and controversial ban pursued by his predecessor, the situation remains far from resolved. The ongoing CFIUS review means the threat of restrictions, including potential forced divestiture or other significant limitations, remains a possibility.

The Future of TikTok in the US

The future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain. The Biden administration's focus on negotiations and regulatory oversight, rather than outright prohibition, represents a significant shift in strategy. However, the underlying national security concerns remain, and the outcome of CFIUS investigations will significantly influence TikTok's future presence and operations within the US market. The debate will likely continue, balancing national security concerns with the rights of users and the interests of a significant portion of the US population who use the app.

Conclusion

The saga of TikTok's potential ban highlights the challenges of balancing national security concerns with the complexities of regulating technology in a globalized world. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have attempted to address these concerns, albeit through different approaches. The final outcome remains unclear, but it will undoubtedly have significant implications for the future of social media and international technology regulations.