Trump’s plans to save TikTok may fail to keep it online, Democrats warn

The Verge - Mar 24th, 2025
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Three Democratic senators, Ed Markey, Chris Van Hollen, and Cory Booker, are appealing to President Donald Trump to collaborate with Congress to prevent TikTok from being banned in the US after April 5th. The senators oppose the TikTok ban, which mandates the app's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest by January 19th or face expulsion. Despite Trump’s executive order delaying enforcement for 75 days, service providers like Oracle, Apple, and Google face potential liability risks. The senators argue this extension is unlawful and encourage Trump to work with Congress to pass the 'Extend the TikTok Deadline Act' for a legal solution.

The significance of this story lies in the potential impact on TikTok’s operations in the US and the legal and political ramifications of the ongoing debate. The ban and its extensions raise concerns over legal liabilities for service providers and national security issues related to data sharing with China. The senators propose that any resolution should involve Congress and adhere to legal standards, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive strategy that aligns with the law. This situation highlights the complexities of international tech policy and the influence of political maneuvering on corporate operations.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the complex legal and political dynamics surrounding TikTok's operation in the U.S. It effectively highlights the legislative background, executive actions, and the perspectives of key political figures, offering a timely and relevant narrative for readers.

However, the story would benefit from more precise legal analysis and a broader range of perspectives, particularly from tech companies and legal experts, to enhance its accuracy and balance. The use of unnamed sources and the lack of explicit source attribution for some claims limit the overall source quality and transparency.

Despite these limitations, the article addresses a topic of significant public interest and potential controversy, offering insights into the broader implications of government intervention in technology and international relations. With improvements in source attribution and clarity, the article could provide an even more robust and engaging exploration of this critical issue.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents a complex legal and political scenario regarding TikTok's status in the U.S., focusing on the actions and proposals of President Trump and several Democratic senators. It accurately reflects the legislative requirement for ByteDance to divest TikTok by a specific deadline and the subsequent executive order by Trump to extend this deadline. However, the story could benefit from more precise details on the legal mechanisms and the specific law passed by Congress, as well as the potential financial liability for service providers, which is cited as up to $850 billion.

The article mentions the involvement of major tech companies like Oracle, Apple, and Google, and their potential exposure to liability, which aligns with the factual context of the legal risks involved. However, the story's claim that Trump's executive order cannot override the law itself is a crucial point that requires careful verification, as this involves complex legal interpretations that are not fully explored in the article.

Moreover, the story references unnamed sources and expert opinions, which, while common in news reporting, require careful cross-verification to ensure reliability. Overall, while the article provides a generally accurate portrayal of the situation, it would benefit from more detailed legal analysis and specific citations to enhance its factual accuracy.

6
Balance

The story attempts to balance perspectives by including the viewpoints of Democratic senators, President Trump, and unnamed experts. It highlights the senators' opposition to the TikTok ban and their proposals for legislative action, providing a political counterbalance to Trump's executive actions.

However, the article leans more towards the perspective of the Democratic senators, perhaps due to the direct quotes and detailed coverage of their proposals. While it mentions Trump's actions and potential legal challenges, it does not provide a deep dive into the rationale behind Trump's decisions or the perspectives of his supporters, which could have offered a more balanced view.

Additionally, the story could have included more voices from the tech companies involved, such as Oracle, Apple, and Google, to provide a fuller picture of the corporate perspective on the potential legal liabilities and business implications of the TikTok ban.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, providing a logical flow of information from the legislative background to the current political and legal dynamics. It effectively outlines the main points of contention and the potential implications for TikTok and its service providers.

However, the complexity of the legal and political issues at play might challenge readers unfamiliar with the context. The article could benefit from more straightforward explanations of the legal mechanisms involved and the potential consequences for the parties involved.

Overall, while the article is accessible and informative, simplifying some of the legal jargon and providing clearer explanations of the technical aspects would improve clarity for a broader audience.

5
Source quality

The article references Democratic senators and President Trump as primary sources, which are credible given their direct involvement in the issue. It also cites unnamed experts, which is common in news reporting but requires caution as these sources are not independently verifiable.

The story would benefit from more explicit attribution of expert opinions and a broader range of sources, including legal analysts or industry experts, to enhance credibility. The lack of direct quotes or named sources for some of the more technical legal interpretations could undermine the perceived reliability of the report.

Overall, while the article draws from relevant political figures, the reliance on unnamed sources and the absence of detailed legal or technical analysis from identifiable experts limits the overall source quality.

6
Transparency

The article provides a clear narrative on the TikTok situation, outlining the legislative background, Trump's executive actions, and the senators' proposals. However, it lacks transparency in certain areas, particularly concerning the legal interpretations and the potential financial implications for service providers.

The story does not explicitly state the sources of its legal analysis or the basis for the financial liability estimates, which could be crucial for readers to assess the credibility of these claims. Additionally, the use of unnamed sources for some expert opinions reduces transparency, as readers cannot independently verify these claims.

While the article offers a coherent overview of the issue, greater transparency regarding source attribution and the methodology behind legal and financial claims would enhance its trustworthiness.

Sources

  1. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/where-things-stand-with-tiktok-less-than-a-month-before-its-next-sale-deadline
  2. https://www.commondreams.org/news/tiktok-banned
  3. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/21/trumps-tiktok-oracle-deal-could-break-the-law-but-nobody-can-stop-him-00242107
  4. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-signs-executive-order-to-suspend-tiktok-ban-for-75-days-to-find-u-s-buyer