Senator Richard Blumenthal, the Democratic chair of a U.S. Senate panel, emphasized on Tuesday that President-elect Donald Trump cannot bypass a federal law requiring Chinese-based ByteDance to divest its popular app TikTok by January 19, 2025. Failure to comply could result in a nationwide ban on the platform, which has raised national security concerns regarding potential data access by China.
During a hearing focused on Chinese hacking incidents, Blumenthal referenced the law passed by Congress in April, which was driven by fears that TikTok could be used for espionage or to harvest personal data from American users. “He can’t ignore the law,” Blumenthal stated, underscoring that any attempt to alter or repeal the legislation would face significant public opposition.
The law mandates that ByteDance must divest TikTok unless President Joe Biden grants a one-time extension of up to 90 days, contingent upon ByteDance demonstrating substantial progress. Trump, who previously attempted to ban TikTok in 2020, has indicated he would not support a ban if re-elected.
In addition to TikTok, Blumenthal raised alarms about the ties between U.S. tech companies and China, particularly highlighting Elon Musk’s Tesla and SpaceX. He noted that Tesla manufactures approximately half of its vehicles in China and expressed concern over the implications for U.S. national security. “When forced to choose between American security and access to the Chinese market, Americans may doubt that tech leaders will prioritize our interests,” he warned.
The bipartisan support for the divestiture law reflects widespread anxiety over Chinese influence in American technology. The legislation prohibits app stores like Apple and Google from offering TikTok unless ByteDance complies with the divestiture requirement.
As legal challenges mount, TikTok has contested this law in court, asserting it violates First Amendment rights and arguing that divestiture is not feasible within the mandated timeline. A decision from a U.S. appeals court is anticipated soon.
This situation continues to evolve as lawmakers and tech companies navigate the complex intersection of national security and digital innovation.
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