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TikTok's recent weekend was nothing short of an exhilarating rollercoaster ride!

In a twist of historical proportions, the past weekend saw a series of extraordinary events involving a beloved American social media giant. The rollercoaster ride of banning and unbanning TikTok was orchestrated by no less than a former president, a current commander-in-chief, and a prominent...

TikTok's icon gleams on an iPhone's app store in January 2025.
TikTok's icon gleams on an iPhone's app store in January 2025.

TikTok's recent weekend was nothing short of an exhilarating rollercoaster ride!

With mere hours to spare before the looming ban, TikTok darkened late Saturday night. By the following midday, it was back online, attributing its return to the then-president-elect, Donald Trump. Yet, its long-term presence in America remains uncertain.

Let's rewind the clock and delve into this rollercoaster:

August 6, 2020: In his first year in office, Trump issued an executive order, effectively banishing TikTok. He declared that the app's data collection was a danger, potentially granting the Chinese Communist Party access to Americans' personal and professional information. This could also empower Beijing to construct dossiers for blackmail or engage in corporate espionage.

January 2021: Upon Biden's inauguration, the TikTok ban was postponed.

April 2024: Biden endorsed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which received broad bipartisan support in Congress. This bill ultimately prohibited the video app unless it was sold to an American or allied company.

May 2024: TikTok and its China-based owner, ByteDance, initiated legal actions against the US government, asserting that the law infringed upon TikTok users' First Amendment rights.

December 18, 2024: The US Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments on whether the ban violated TikTok users' First Amendment rights.

January 17, 2025:

  • Morning: In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court upheld the federal law banning TikTok unless it was sold to a non-Chinese company. The court stressed that the national security risks posed by China surpassed any concerns about limiting free speech.
  • Afternoon: Amidst the looming ban, President-elect Trump, via Truth Social, communicated his engagement with Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding TikTok. He hinted at an imminent decision naturally, encouraging those interested to stay tuned. Biden expressed his preference for an American-owned TikTok, while highlighting the forthcoming administration's obligation to enforce the new law.
  • TikTok goes dark.

January 18, 2025:

  • Overnight: The White House condemned TikTok's ominous warning, labeling it a stunt. The administration was adamant that TikTok, like other companies, should not take such actions before the Trump Administration exited office.
  • Morning: During an interview with NBC, Trump signaled his intent to delay the ban for 90 days once taking office.
  • Late evening: TikTok issued warnings to its users about the impending ban, a mere 9 hours away. The app went dark temporarily, displaying a message of regret.

January 19, 2025:

  • 10 am: Trump pledged his intention to sign an executive order for a 90-day delay on the ban, favoring "a 50% ownership position in a joint venture" by the new buyer or existing owner, suggesting this could save TikTok.
  • Midday: TikTok resurfaced online, following Trump's announcement of his planned executive order to postpone the ban enactment.

The saga is far from over; challenges from within the Republican party loom. The only possible solution seemingly lies in forcing a sale to a new buyer or passing a law reversing the ban, an unlikely scenario given the bill's strong bipartisan backing.

In the midst of this business drama, tech companies started showing interest in acquiring TikTok to avoid the ban.

After Trump's announcement, several tech businesses saw an opportunity to capitalize on the situation, eyeing potential acquisitions to secure a foothold in the lucrative social media market.

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