Two U.S. Democratic lawmakers have called on President Joe Biden to extend the January 19 deadline for TikTok's sale or face a nationwide ban. The deadline, issued to ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, requires the divestment of its U.S. operations, citing national security concerns over Chinese ownership.
During a recent Supreme Court hearing, TikTok’s legal representative, Noel Francisco, argued that the short timeframe made completing a sale impossible. He emphasized that failure to extend the deadline could lead to the abrupt shutdown of TikTok, affecting 170 million American users.
Senator Edward Markey proposed a 270-day extension to minimize disruption for users and provide sufficient time for negotiations. Representative Ro Khanna echoed these concerns, stressing the importance of safeguarding free speech and livelihoods tied to the platform.
Former President-elect Donald Trump has also supported extending the deadline, suggesting a resolution after his potential return to office. Meanwhile, the White House has yet to comment on the request.
The looming deadline has sparked debates about national security, free expression, and the global implications of banning one of the most popular social media platforms in the U.S.
