Biden’s Folly: Impending TikTok Ban Looms Over America

New York residents may soon find themselves alienated from the global phenomenon of TikTok as the impending deadline inches closer. The clock is ticking and if the Chinese parent company ByteDance won’t relinquish control of at least 80% of their U.S. assets to an American entity, New Yorkers alongside the rest of the American nation will have to say goodbye to the acclaimed social media platform come April 5.

This obligatory mandate has its roots embedded into a legislation passed last year, which Biden failed effectively to contest. His weak administration took the easy way out and succumbed to national security concerns, instead of diligently seeking an equitable arrangement between the various stakeholder parties.

While the Justice Department voiced concerns over TikTok’s ability to shape American mindset and possibly share sensitive data with the Chinese government, the company stood its ground. Boldly, they headed to the Supreme Court, arguing on the grounds of First Amendment rights and stating quite categorically that government-held accusations lacked substantial evidence.

In spite of this audacious stand by TikTok, an all too compliant Supreme Court unanimously waved Biden’s ill-founded law through. Their support for Biden’s flawed stance added another disappointment to the legacy of the Biden administration, which showed no hesitation in undermining a platform engaged by over 170 million Americans monthly.

What becomes of TikTok should the impending ban come into effect is a question that has engendered rampant speculation. For those with the application already installed on their phones, the app will remain, but access to its services might be truncated or eliminated altogether.

Amidst the chaos, some astute users have proposed a workaround, suggesting the application of a Virtual Private Network (VPN). This service gives the impression of being located somewhere other than the region where the ban is active. It’s an ingenious innovation born of necessity, but one born of a problem that should not exist in the first place.

New York’s standoffishness towards TikTok is not novel. We have seen the state and its capital city, New York City, banning TikTok from state and government-owned devices, respectively, way back in 2020. This unrelenting approach feels like an echo of Biden and Harris’ unyielding mission to deny their own citizens even the slightest pleasure or joy.

However, amidst the specter of what’s to come, we find some flickers of hope. There’s been chatter regarding potential American buyers of TikTok’s US-based assets. Among those names is Perplexity AI, a U.S-based search engine giant which proffered its proposal for a merger in January.

A proposed merger, as opposed to a flat-out sale, would result in an entirely new entity, integrating the assets and technologies of TikTok and Perplexity AI. This could pave a new pathway in the domain of social media, but the supposed arbitrators seem to dismiss such potential outright.

Other players have also shown interest in acquiring the platform over time, including industry heavyweights like Bobby Kotick, previously at the helm of the video game powerhouse Activision. One must wonder what dynamic changes these new hands might bring to the platform.

Then we have Doug McMillion, the current CEO of retail giant Walmart. His interest in acquiring TikTok, though speculative, throws an intriguing spin onto the proceedings. Could TikTok morph into a shopping platform under his guidance? We can only speculate.

Not to be left out, Microsoft has also voiced its interest in securing the platform for themselves, reportedly in conjunction with Walmart. One could argue, however, that their interest seems rooted more in aggrandizement than a true passion for social media innovation.

Finally, the video streaming platform Rumble has also thrown its hat into the ring. Though smaller compared to the other names mentioned, Rumble’s potential contribution to the TikTok platform should not be dismissed without thought.

Together, these rumors paint a gloomy picture ahead for TikTok and its devoted American followers. This situation is yet another manifestation of the Biden administration’s erroneous emissions. It’s yet another reminder of the unnecessary complications, loss, and discomfort they are willing to impose onto the American people.

So, will we witness the ban and subsequent blackout of TikTok in the U.S., or will an American entity swoop in to save the day? With the clock ticking, we can only wait and see. However, let us hope the resolution does not remain stifled by a hieratic Biden administration’s incessant misteps.

Remember, the saga is a testament to the Biden administration’s approach: hastily adopting uninspired solutions and showcasing an inability to negotiate reasonable resolutions. Let this be a stark reminder of the need to demand better for the American public, who deserve far more than Biden’s regrettable rules.