Possibility Of U.S. TikTok Ban Grows After Biden Demands Chinese Owners Sell Their Shares

After former President Donald Trump attempted to get TikTok banned in the United States and ultimately failed back in 2021, President Joe Biden might be poised to take a crack at it.

Yesterday, multiple news outlets reported that Biden had threatened to ban TikTok in the U.S. unless the site's Chinese owners divest their stakes in it.

TikTok has long been accused of spying on global citizens, which is what caused India to ban the app and caused major global powers, including the U.S., to ban the app on government phones. So far, over 30 states have already banned employees from using TikTok on government-owned devices as well.

The call for a sale echoes what Trump did in the waning days of his presidency, and though he appeared to negotiate a sale of a portion of TikTok to Oracle, the deal never came to fruition. Should Biden attempt to ban TikTok, he may face opposition from United States courts, as Trump did.

TikTok executives expressed their disappointment in the call for sale, arguing, "A change in ownership would not impose any new restrictions on data flows or access." China's foreign ministry commented on the development earlier today, saying that the U.S. has not provided evidence that TikTok threatened national security and that the government should stop attempting to suppress such companies.

Social media was divided on the news, for while many dislike the app, some, including the ACLU, argued that banning it would be a violation of the First Amendment. Others joked and memed about possible examples of why the ban makes sense.

A ban on TikTok would violate the First Amendment rights of millions of Americans who use the app to express themselves daily. pic.twitter.com/rCvCTMOza7

— ACLU (@ACLU) February 27, 2023

aite man. i see why they tryna ban tiktok 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/gysrTebM58

— dunk. (@_TonyHilfiger) March 13, 2023

The New York Post reported that TikTok is looking into potential U.S. buyers for a sale, and while TikTok Chief Executive Shou Zi Chew is set to appear before Congress next week, it's still unclear if the CCP would even approve any divestiture.

Coincidentally amid the latest news of the U.S. ban, the United Kingdom just similarly banned TikTok on all its government devices earlier today.

BREAKING: The UK will ban the use of TikTok on government phones with immediate effect, Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Dowden says, calling it a "precautionary move" over security fears https://t.co/dDRJa0uM4z pic.twitter.com/Km9q2HcL4v

— Bloomberg UK (@BloombergUK) March 16, 2023