The company and the wildly popular social media app are uncertain if TikTok could be banned in the United States on January 19, 2025. Last week, TikTok made oral arguments to the Supreme Court in an effort to delay the ban. If the ruling does not swing in its favor, a surprising development could be on the horizon: TikTok’s U.S. business is reportedly being considered for sale by Chinese government officials to Elon Musk.
TikTok’s national security concerns
TikTok is headed towards uncertainty because of its parent, ByteDance, and its connection with the Chinese government. Fears that TikTok could be used to collect data and influence have U.S. lawmakers and security experts fearing it could be a national security risk.
TikTok has come under fire over its Chinese ownership, and the Supreme Court, which has increasingly shown its preference for banning the app, signaled in recent months that it would be a natural fit. The delay in the decision will end, and time will be on its way out.
A Musk Acquisition: A Possible Solution?
According to a Bloomberg report, Chinese officials are also negotiating ways to continue doing business in the U.S. with TikTok. But if ByteDance cannot sit on top, selling TikTok to Elon Musk may be the only choice.
After acquiring Twitter in 2022 (now X), Musk has opposed banning TikTok, saying banning the platform would not preserve free speech or expression. However, should he acquire TikTok, it could serve several strategic purposes:
- Boosting Advertiser Appeal: X’s partnership with TikTok’s existing platform could be a powerful brand pairing.
- Enhancing AI Efforts: Although Musk could leverage this data through his company xAI to fuel their AI work as machine learning and user behavior data, it is clear that the video social network’s popularity spans many demographics.
Political and Legal Hurdles
TikTok has attempted to debunk reports of a Musk acquisition, saying to the BBC that it was ‘pure fiction.’ Separately, it would be a delving and complicated procedure for ByteDance to disentangle TikTok’s U.S. operations from itself.
President-elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated on January 20, 2025, one day before the Supreme Court prepares to rule on the issue. Trump, who had branded TikTok a security threat, reportedly asked the Court to push back its decision, perhaps hinting that he would get his way by political means rather than an outright ban.
Global Implications of a TikTok Ban
Including bans in India, Canada, and other countries due to similar security concerns, TikTok has already been banned. The ban could set a precedent, and new pressure could be applied to other Chinese-owned platforms and apps globally.
The ban would be a significant change for TikTok’s millions of American users, a move that could send them to other social media sites. And for its part, tech companies like Meta and X will reap the rewards from the void of TikTok’s absence.
What is Next?
The talks about selling TikTok to Elon Musk are still in their infancy, and nothing is set in stone. The Supreme Court will decide TikTok’s future in the U.S., and the incoming administration may supersede it.
For now, one thing is clear: TikTok’s legal battle is more than that; it is a flashpoint in a deeper battle between the U.S. and China that carries huge implications for tech, data privacy, and global commerce.
Ethan Cole is a tech aficionado dedicated to exploring the latest innovations and gadgets, providing reviews and insights to keep you updated in the tech world.
