What’s Next For TikTok Now | December 9, 2024

Introduction

As 2024 draws to a close, TikTok faces significant challenges ahead following a recent ruling by a U.S. appeals court. The court upheld a law mandating that TikTok, along with its parent company ByteDance, must either sell the platform to a non-Chinese owner or face an outright ban in the United States. This legal action stems from long-standing concerns among lawmakers regarding the app's potential risks to national security, particularly the fear that ByteDance could share user data with the Chinese government for surveillance purposes.

President Joe Biden signed this controversial law earlier in April 2024, a move that sparked extensive debate about free speech and data privacy. TikTok is home to over 170 million American users, many of whom rely on the platform for their livelihoods. BiteDance, however, has resisted these changes, stating that they will not sell TikTok and have initiated legal proceedings to challenge the law on grounds of violating First Amendment rights and the Fifth Amendment’s equal protection clause.

With a deadline set for January 19, 2025, TikTok now finds itself in a precarious position. Unless the platform can successfully persuade ByteDance to agree to a sale and identify a suitable buyer, it faces severe consequences, including hefty fines for app stores and internet services that host it. As of now, there is no indication that President Biden will offer an extension on the deadline, adding to the uncertainty surrounding TikTok's future.

In other news, Paris celebrated the formal reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral over the weekend, five years after a catastrophic fire. A remarkable restoration effort, reportedly costing around €700 million, brought together global leaders and dignitaries for a prestigious ceremony. The event signified hope and resilience, emphasizing what can be achieved collectively, much like what is necessary in the debate surrounding TikTok’s status.

Furthermore, we highlight the incredible work of a butterfly collector in Nairobi, Kenya, who has assembled the largest collection of African butterflies, containing over 4 million specimens. As he approaches his seventies and seeks a new home for this invaluable collection, the future of this decades-long endeavor hangs in the balance.

As we step into the final month of 2024, the choices and changes we make now could resonate far into the future.

Keywords

TikTok
ByteDance
U.S. appeals court
National security
Free speech
January 19, 2025
Notre-Dame Cathedral
Butterfly collection
Nairobi, Kenya

FAQ

Q: What is the recent ruling regarding TikTok?
A: A U.S. appeals court upheld a law requiring TikTok and its parent company ByteDance to sell the platform to a non-Chinese owner or face a ban in the United States.

Q: Why are lawmakers concerned about TikTok?
A: Lawmakers worry that ByteDance collects extensive user data that could potentially be shared with the Chinese government for surveillance.

Q: What is the deadline for TikTok to comply with the ruling?
A: The deadline for TikTok to find a buyer or face consequences is January 19, 2025.

Q: What happened to Notre-Dame Cathedral?
A: Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris officially reopened after five years of restoration following a devastating fire in April 2019.

Q: What makes the butterfly collector in Nairobi noteworthy?
A: He has created the world's largest collection of African butterflies, containing over 4 million specimens and is currently looking for a new home for the collection.