The Rise of AI-Based Mental Health Bots Sparks Ethical Debate
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TikTok has temporarily suspended its services in the United States as the deadline for the app's Chinese owner, Bytedance, to sever ties approaches. According to reports, Bytedance was required to divest from TikTok under U.S. legislation aimed at foreign control over online platforms, which stipulated a 270-day timeline for compliance.
The cessation of services is expected to be brief, with the incoming U.S. President, Donald Trump, indicating a potential three-month extension to the deadline during his inauguration on Monday. However, such an extension is contingent on ongoing negotiations for a sale, which Bytedance has yet to pursue.
Under the existing laws, failure to comply by the deadline would result in TikTok being removed from Apple and Google’s app stores and losing access to necessary technical infrastructure. Moreover, U.S. service providers that continue to support TikTok post-deadline could face penalties of $5,000 per user.
The Biden administration reportedly relinquished enforcement of the law to Trump's incoming government, suggesting that violations by U.S. companies would not be strictly pursued. TikTok has called for guarantees from the U.S. administration regarding support from major tech providers, threatening to shut down operations if clarity is not provided.
The legal basis for Trump's proposed extension remains uncertain, raising questions about the future of TikTok in the U.S. amidst concerns over data security and potential influence from the Chinese government.