WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) – The Tiktok blackout in the USA only lasted a short time: the operators of the video app switched it back on after around twelve hours. As justification, they referred on Sunday to future President Donald Trump’s assurance that there should be no penalties for US service providers on the platform. However, Trump will not be sworn in until Monday.
Clear situation according to US law
China-based Tiktok owner Bytedance was given 270 days to divest from the video app last year under the US Foreign Control of Online Platforms Act.
After the deadline expired on Sunday, according to the law, Tiktok had to be kicked out of the American app stores of Apple and Google (Alphabet C (ex Google)) and lose access to technical infrastructure. The law stipulates high penalties of $5,000 per user for US service providers who continue to provide Tiktok. That could quickly amount to billions.
Trump promises to extend the deadline
Trump, who will be sworn in as the next US President on Monday, has already promised Tiktok an additional delay of three months. He will issue a presidential decree extending the deadline on Monday.
Trump also suggested that “the United States” – obviously the US state – take a 50 percent stake in a joint venture with the current or new Tiktok owners. In this way, Tiktok will be saved and left in good hands.
Tiktok gives Biden the cold shoulder
In recent months, Tiktok and Bytedance have always refused to even consider a separation. There are fears in the USA that the Chinese government could gain access to Tiktok data from Americans and use the platform to influence public opinion. The companies reject the allegations. Nevertheless, the concerns led to the law being passed with a large majority.
Biden wanted to give way to Trump
Tiktok’s approach with the shutdown and quick return was all the more surprising since Joe Biden’s government had already signaled that US service providers should remain unpunished. The White House said it would leave enforcement of the law to Trump. However, this was not enough for Tiktok – and, according to media reports, especially for the app’s partners, who were threatened with punishment.
The users are angry
So Tiktok switched itself off, even before the deadline on Saturday evening. The video editing app Capcut and the Tiktok alternative Lemon8, which also belong to the Bytedance Group, also no longer worked. The Bytedance applications could no longer be found in the app stores. Many users vented their anger on other online platforms such as the tech billionaire’s X Elon Musk.
Trump discovered his heart for Tiktok
It is unclear on what legal basis Trump wants to give Tiktok more time. According to the law, the US President can grant an extension of 90 days. However, the prerequisite for this is that there are promising sales negotiations.
During his first term in office, Trump once wanted to force the sale of Tiktok by threatening to ban it, but failed in court. In the meantime he discovered his heart for the platform. Trump argued that he was successful on Tiktok and was able to appeal to many young people there in the race for the White House. “Why would I want to get rid of Tiktok?”/so/DP/he