The Biden administration faces limited options after the Chinese government refused to sell TikTok. The administration may attempt to ban the app in the United States by cutting off its access to Apple’s and Google’s app stores, but this may require legislation from Congress to grant the administration more power. Alternatively, the administration could revisit a deal that had been negotiated with TikTok for years, where the app would store the data of its US users on American servers owned by Oracle. However, some officials within the administration have expressed skepticism about this proposal. Removing the app would be politically challenging for President Biden, and many major news organizations, including The New York Times, now have TikTok accounts, complicating the situation further. While concerns over national security and data privacy are significant, any action taken against the app could have political and media implications.
Biden Administration’s Limited Options as Beijing Refuses to Sell TikTok
The Biden administration is facing a new challenge in its attempts to address concerns over the popular social media app TikTok. The Chinese government has stated that it will oppose any sale, leaving the White House with limited options.
Ban the app within the US or revisit the deal
If the administration cannot force a sale, it may attempt to ban the app within the United States by cutting off its access to Apple’s and Google’s app stores. However, Congress may need to grant the administration more power. Former President Donald J. Trump attempted to ban the app, but federal courts ruled that he did not have the authority to do so, limiting President Biden’s options.
Alternatively, the administration could revisit a deal that had been negotiated with TikTok for years. Under this proposal, the app would store the data of its U.S. users on American servers owned by Oracle. The American company would also monitor how the app’s algorithm recommends content to users as a possible safeguard against Chinese government disinformation and propaganda.
Political challenges
Removing the app, whether by banning it for its 150 million users in the United States or blocking further downloads, would also be politically challenging for President Biden. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has acknowledged that such a move could alienate younger voters, but she and other officials have emphasized that national security concerns must take precedence.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that many major news organizations, including The New York Times, now have TikTok accounts. Shutting down the app could be seen as limiting the spread of fact-based news to counter Chinese disinformation.
Limited options
If the White House can’t force a sale, that would effectively leave it with two options to resolve concerns about the company. The Biden administration faces a difficult decision regarding TikTok. While concerns over national security and data privacy are significant, any action taken against the app could have political and media implications.
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