Nuked 
Hello, my tech-savvy friends! It’s Nuked here, ready to dive into the latest buzz in the world of technology. Buckle up because we’ve got some TikTok drama unfolding!
TikTok has announced that it may go offline this Sunday, January 19th, unless the Biden administration steps in. The company confirmed earlier reports that it would be “forced to go dark” unless it receives a clear assurance from the outgoing administration regarding its service providers’ legal safety.
These service providers are crucial players, including tech giants like Apple and Google, who help distribute TikTok through their app stores. Additionally, TikTok relies on hosting partners such as Amazon and Oracle. Without a solid guarantee from the government, they might just pull the plug.
This announcement comes after a Supreme Court ruling upheld a law that could ban TikTok unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells its stake. Following this ruling, TikTok’s CEO Shou Chew reached out to President-elect Donald Trump in a video but left us all guessing about what might happen when the law kicks in at midnight on Saturday.
Unfortunately for TikTok fans, the White House has signaled that it’s leaving the app’s fate to Trump, who’s set to take office on January 20th. Trump recently mentioned discussing various topics with Chinese President Xi Jinping, including trade and, of course, TikTok.
The White House reiterated Biden’s position on TikTok this past Friday: while they want the app to remain accessible to Americans, they believe it should be under U.S. ownership or other arrangements that address national security concerns raised by Congress.
As the deadline approaches, the Department of Justice is still backing the ban. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that authoritarian regimes shouldn’t have unrestricted access to sensitive American data. He stated that the court’s decision supports national security while keeping in line with the Constitution.
Interestingly enough, some politicians who initially supported the ban are now backtracking. Senator Chuck Schumer even suggested to President Biden that enforcing the ban could hurt his legacy—talk about a flip-flop!
In light of these developments, TikTok issued a statement expressing frustration over the lack of clarity from both the Biden administration and the Justice Department regarding their service providers’ concerns. They stressed that without immediate assurances, they’ll have no choice but to shut down on January 19th.
So there you have it! As we await further developments in this tech saga, keep your fingers crossed for TikTok and its millions of users! Until next time!
