Biden administration has no plans to fine companies if TikTok ban goes into effect
The Biden administration does not plan to levy billions of dollars in fines against companies that allow access to TikTok in the U.S.
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration does not plan to levy billions of dollars in fines against companies that allow access to TikTok in the U.S., as is stipulated by law if a ban of the popular app goes into effect Sunday, according to two administration officials.
The administration has decided to defer implementation of the law banning TikTok in the U.S. to the incoming Trump administration, the officials said, effectively not enforcing it during the final 36 hours of President Joe Biden’s term.
“Given the timing of when it goes into effect over a holiday weekend a day before inauguration, it will be up to the next administration to implement,” a White House official said.
The move is aimed at trying to ensure there is no disruption in TikTok users’ access to the app in the U.S. before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration Monday, despite the ban. It comes as the Supreme Court could rule anytime on whether to uphold the ban.
Trump has vowed to save TikTok from the ban, which Congress passed with bipartisan support and Biden signed into law last April citing concerns that the app’s Chinese ownership makes it a national security threat to the U.S. The president-elect’s team has been exploring options for keeping TikTok operating in the U.S.
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