Billionaire Elon Musk has expressed his disapproval of the ban on TikTok in the United States, citing it as a move that contradicts the principles of free speech. However, Musk also criticised the lack of reciprocity, pointing out that while TikTok operated freely in the US, platforms like X remain banned in China.
“I have been against a TikTok ban for a long time because it goes against freedom of speech. That said, the current situation where TikTok is allowed to operate in America, but X is not allowed to operate in China is unbalanced,” Musk said, reiterating his stance from last year when he opposed similar bans.
As TikTok faces mounting scrutiny over its ties to China and national security concerns, reports have emerged that Beijing is exploring the possibility of selling the app’s US operations to Musk.
According to Bloomberg, discussions have taken place to safeguard TikTok’s presence in the US if it fails to resolve the concerns raised by lawmakers. While the Chinese government prefers ByteDance to retain ownership, a sale to Musk is seen as a contingency plan. Analysts estimate the US operations could be valued at USD 40-50 billion, comparable to the USD 44 billion Musk spent to acquire Twitter in 2022.
The developments follow a ruling by the US Supreme Court on Friday, which upheld a federal law banning TikTok unless its parent company ByteDance sells the app. The court’s decision cited national security risks associated with TikTok’s Chinese ownership, even as critics argued the ban infringes on free speech.
On Sunday, TikTok officially went offline in the US as the ban took effect. The app was removed from the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store, and users reported receiving a message stating, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now,” with an option to download their data.
In response to the Supreme Court ruling, President-elect Donald Trump has signalled a potential reprieve for the platform. Speaking to NBC News, Trump indicated he may grant TikTok a 90-day extension to finalise a deal once he assumes office.
Under existing legislation, ByteDance was given nine months to divest TikTok’s US operations, with the option for the sitting president to grant an extension. Trump’s potential reprieve would align with his previous stance, as he recently discussed the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping.