Home News Senator Ed Markey Introduces Bill To Delay TikTok Ban Deadline

Senator Ed Markey Introduces Bill To Delay TikTok Ban Deadline

by admin

Senator Ed Markey is fighting to stop a potential TikTok ban in the United States.

On Monday, the Massachusetts Democrat introduced the Extend the TikTok Deadline Act, aiming to prevent the platform’s shutdown, which could disrupt the lives of 170 million American users.

Markey warns that the “stakes are high,” as a sudden ban would upend a “one-of-a-kind informational and cultural ecosystem.” He has proposed extending the deadline by 270 days.

“Let me be clear: TikTok has its problems,” the senator stated in his remarks. “Like every social media platform, TikTok poses a serious risk to the privacy and mental health of our young people. I will continue to hold TikTok accountable for such behavior. But a TikTok ban would impose serious consequences on millions of Americans who depend on the app for social connections and their economic livelihood. We cannot allow that to happen.”

The proposed bill comes as TikTok faces a January 19 deadline to sell its U.S. operations or risk being banned, which could have far-reaching economic consequences, affecting a wide range of Americans and industries.

Threat To Americans’ Livelihood

Millions of content creators have built their careers on the platform and made it their primary source of income. This digital platform has significantly contributed to the U.S. economy, boosting the nation’s gross domestic product, employment and tax income.

According to an Oxford Economics study, TikTok generated a significant economic impact in the U.S., contributing $24.2 billion to the nation’s GDP in 2023. Small and medium-sized businesses were the primary drivers of this economic contribution, generating nearly $15 billion through paid advertising, marketing and organic growth on the platform.

The report revealed that TikTok supports about 224,000 jobs across various sectors, which could be jeopardized if the ban is implemented. Additionally, the government could also lose substantial tax revenue, as the social media app generated $5.3 billion in taxes in 2023.

Content creators would need to quickly adapt and build followings on other platforms. The ban’s impact could extend beyond these influencers and small businesses, potentially disrupting the $250 billion creator economy.

TikTok estimates that U.S. small businesses could lose $1.3 billion in revenue within the first month of the ban.

Efforts To Save TikTok

A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Senators Markey and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), as well as Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17), have jointly filed a bicameral amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Their brief advocates for overturning the D.C. Circuit Court’s ruling in TikTok Inc. v. Garland, which had previously upheld the TikTok ban implemented by the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.

The lawmakers contend that the legislation to ban TikTok lacks evidence and violates First Amendment protections.

Earlier this month, President-elect Donald Trump also urged the Supreme Court to postpone the impending TikTok ban, stating that he possesses the “dealmaking expertise” and “political will” to negotiate a solution that would address national security concerns while preserving the platform.

“President Trump opposes banning TikTok in the United States at this juncture, and seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office,” his solicitor general nominee, John Sauer, wrote in a separate amicus brief.

U.S. officials have expressed significant national security apprehensions regarding TikTok, citing fears that its parent company, ByteDance, might be forced to disclose user information to Chinese authorities or alter content to sway American users. The Supreme Court appears inclined to uphold the law requiring TikTok’s sale or ban, despite the platform’s insistence on its operational independence and data protection practices.

You may also like

Leave a Comment