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Senators Request Biden to Grant ByteDance 90-Day Extension on TikTok Sale Deadline

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Democratic Senator Ed Markey and Republican Senator Rand Paul have called on President Joe Biden to extend by 90 days a looming January 19 deadline that requires China-based ByteDance to sell the U.S. assets of its popular short-video app TikTok or face a nationwide ban.

Their request comes as the Supreme Court prepares to hear ByteDance and TikTok’s legal challenge against the law mandating the sale. Arguments in the case are scheduled for January 10. In a joint letter to Biden, the senators argued that the law’s uncertain future and its implications for free expression warrant the 90-day reprieve.

Background on the Controversy

The contentious legislation was passed by Congress in April and signed into law by Biden. It stems from national security concerns raised by the Justice Department, which has argued that TikTok’s access to vast amounts of user data—including locations and private messages—makes it a significant threat. The department also raised concerns about ByteDance’s potential to manipulate content visible to American users.

TikTok, however, has denied these allegations, maintaining that it does not pose an imminent threat to U.S. security. The company and its parent, ByteDance, argue that the law violates the First Amendment’s protections of free speech.

Political Reactions

The debate over TikTok has divided lawmakers. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, in a brief filed with the Supreme Court, urged the court to reject any delay in enforcing the law, likening TikTok to a “hardened criminal.” Similarly, other senators, such as Republican Josh Hawley and Democrat Richard Blumenthal, insist that ByteDance must comply with the legislation.

On the other hand, Markey and Paul’s appeal highlights concerns about free expression and the impact of a potential TikTok ban on its 170 million American users.

Trump’s Reversal on TikTok

In a surprising turn, Republican President-elect Donald Trump, who previously sought to ban TikTok during his first term in 2020, has shifted his stance. During this year’s presidential race, Trump expressed a newfound fondness for TikTok, stating that he has “a warm spot” for the app and would “take a look” at the matter if elected. Trump will assume office on January 20, just one day after the current TikTok sale deadline.

Next Steps

With the Supreme Court set to deliberate on the matter and the Biden administration under pressure to extend the deadline, the future of TikTok in the U.S. hangs in the balance. Neither the White House nor TikTok has commented on the senators’ request.

 

EU Launches Investigation into TikTok Over Election Interference

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On Tuesday, the European Commission officially opened formal proceedings against TikTok over concerns regarding its failure to prevent election interference, particularly during Romania’s presidential election last month.

Focus of the Investigation

The Commission’s investigation will primarily examine TikTok’s policies on political advertisements, including paid political content, and the platform’s recommendation systems to determine whether they could be manipulated to influence elections. TikTok will be required to provide detailed information about its content moderation practices and the risks associated with these systems.

The investigation, which could lead to further enforcement actions or commitments from TikTok, has no set timeline for completion. However, the opening of formal proceedings allows the Commission to take further steps if necessary.

TikTok’s Defense

In response, TikTok, owned by China’s Bytedance, defended its actions, stating that it had safeguarded the integrity of its platform across more than 150 elections globally. TikTok emphasized that it does not accept paid political advertisements and actively removes content that violates its policies, such as misinformation and hate speech.

On December 5, the European Commission ordered TikTok to freeze data related to the Romanian election under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which governs the operation of major social media companies in Europe. The Romanian court later annulled the election due to allegations of Russian interference and the victory of pro-Russia ultranationalist Calin Georgescu.

Broader Context and Future Elections

The Commission is concerned about potential foreign interference in upcoming elections, such as Germany’s parliamentary election in February and Croatia’s presidential election starting on December 29. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed the need to act swiftly and firmly against any foreign interference, particularly during elections.

This marks the third investigation the European Commission has opened against TikTok under the DSA, with previous cases focusing on risks to minors. One investigation was closed after TikTok agreed to remove its TikTok Lite Rewards program in the EU.

 

The YouTuber Who Swapped Air Traffic Control for Videos with Mbappé

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John Nellis’ journey from air traffic controller to social media star has been anything but conventional. The 31-year-old YouTuber, originally from Newcastle in County Down, Northern Ireland, left his career at Cork Airport two years ago to pursue a passion for creating football-related content on YouTube. Today, he boasts over two million subscribers on his channel, with a video featuring football star Kylian Mbappé amassing nearly 10 million views.

Before his rise to fame, John spent eight years in air traffic control, a high-pressure job that kept him on his toes. However, during the Covid-19 pandemic, when air travel slowed to a near halt, John found himself with more free time. He used this to dive into his hobby of creating football videos, which eventually led him to quit his stable job in 2022 and take a chance on social media content creation.

John describes his decision as a “gamble,” reflecting on how his YouTube channel had only 7,431 subscribers when he left air traffic control. “When I look back, I label myself as delusional,” he admitted. However, his gamble paid off: his channel now has hundreds of thousands of subscribers, and he’s collaborated with big names like Zinedine Zidane and Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo.

Beyond YouTube, John also has a significant following on TikTok, where he won the Sports Content Creator of the Year award in the UK and Ireland. His career shift has given him opportunities to attend major events like the Ballon d’Or, where he even turned heads by wearing football boots reworked into formal shoes.

Despite his success, John is cautious about advising aspiring YouTubers. He encourages young creators to keep their options open and not put all their hopes into content creation. He emphasizes that while many create videos, only a few manage to turn it into a full-time job. However, with growth, opportunities like commercial partnerships and advertising can help make the dream a reality.

John’s football-centric content stands out because it appeals not only to die-hard fans but also to casual viewers. “If you don’t like football, there’s a chance you’ll enjoy our content because it’s not about results or players. It’s about fun and creativity,” he explained.

His distinct Irish accent has also contributed to his recognition, making him memorable on a global scale. Though John isn’t sure how long his career in content creation will last, he’s relishing his time in the spotlight. As he continues to engage with fans and expand his platform, John remains grounded, keeping his passion for creating entertaining and creative content at the forefront.