Al Sharqiya

Washington - ALsharqiya January 18: TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is facing a ban in the United States, as it may be removed from app stores such as the Apple Store and Google Play by next Sunday. This comes due to accusations that the app poses a threat to US national security, as it is accused of stealing US users' data and spreading Chinese propaganda. More than 170 million US users are at risk of losing access to the app if the decision is implemented. US authorities have confirmed that TikTok poses a threat to national security, demanding that it be sold to an American company. For its part, the Biden administration refuses to take decisive steps before leaving the White House, leaving the decision to the next administration, while stressing that it does not object to TikTok continuing if it is under American ownership. A Biden administration official explained that TikTok must operate under American ownership, and that the final decision will be in the hands of the new administration. US law requires tech companies like Apple, Google and Oracle to comply with the ban if a sale deal is not reached, and they could face fines of $5,000 per user if they violate. So far, the conditions required for TikTok to be granted an extension, such as proof of a transfer of ownership or tangible progress toward closing the deal, have not been met. If no news is announced before Sunday’s deadline, TikTok could be gone in the US.