Le TikTok pourrait être fermé totalement ce soir dimanche sauf si la suspension est reportée par une nouvelle loi [U]

The TikTok could be completely closed in the United States on Sunday, with the app no longer launching at all, according to a new report. This would go beyond the legal requirement of the banner, which only allows for new downloads.

However, Congress may be about to give the company another chance through a new law that grants it an additional 270 days before the banner comes into effect.

In other news, Chinese authorities have rejected a Bloomberg report suggesting ByteDance is considering selling its operations in the United States to businessman Elon Musk.

The Story So Far

The quest began in 2020 when US President Trump announced that TikTok would be banned from the US unless it was sold to an American company before September of this year. The deadline was postponed twice before being quietly allowed to expire without action.

However, Congress took up the cause again in 2023 with a new law aimed at banning TikTok from the US or forcing its sale to an American company. ByteDance faced US government litigation, arguing that the threat of ban would be constitutionally invalid and interfere with a fundamental right under the First Amendment concerning freedom of expression.

This matter was decided a month ago, with courts unanimously rejecting the constitutional argument. The last hope was a petition for injunction before the Supreme Court, but it now seems unlikely to be granted.

The App Could Completely Shut Down in the US.

The restriction only imposes blocking new downloads of the app by app stores. It would allow the app to remain operational for existing users.

However, Reuters reports that the company plans a complete shutdown instead.

TikTok plans to shut down its app for US users on Sunday when federal ban on social media apps could come into effect [... ]

According to TikTok's plan, people trying to open the app will see a pop-up message inviting them to visit a website with information about the ban, sources said, asking for confidentiality as the matter is not public.

This seems to be a Chinese attempt to put pressure on the US, knowing that existing users will be very disappointed and hoping they blame American legislators rather than the Chinese government.

A New Law Could Extend the Deadline by 270 Days.

Now, a senator is trying to pass a new law to give the company more time to find a sale agreement with an American company.

Senator Edward J. Markey announced his bill, the TikTok Extension Act, aimed at delaying the deadline by which ByteDance must sell TikTok or be banned for an additional 270 days.

He said there is too much uncertainty around this situation. Creators and users of TikTok across the country are worried about what the future holds for the platform, their accounts, and vibrant online communities they have built.

These communities cannot be replicated on another app. A ban would dismantle a unique information and cultural ecosystem, silencing millions of people as the process unfolds.

We don't yet know if Markey has enough support for his bill to pass.

The Chinese Authorities Have Rejected Musk's Report.

Bloomberg reported that the Chinese government is currently considering an offer made by Elon Musk.

Chinese officials are evaluating a potential option that involves Elon Musk acquiring America’s TikTok operations if the company cannot delay a short video app ban controversy.

High-ranking Chinese officials have already begun discussing emergency plans for TikTok in a broad discussion on how to work with Donald Trump's administration, one of which involves Musk.

However, The Independent reports that this was rejected.

In response to the reports, a representative of TikTok said: "We cannot be expected to comment on a mere story."

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