It has become common to complain that the US government is no longer doing big, outrageous things. But banning TikTok — the social media platform that nearly half of Americans use — would have to be big and bold.

The results were positive yesterday, although not certain. Supreme Court to be used together a bill that Congress passed last year to force ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, to sell it. If ByteDance refuses, as Chinese officials have so far insisted, the app will no longer be available for download or update in the US tomorrow.

Banning of a major social media platform like TikTok is not without history. It could cause financial hardship for millions of Americans. Many will have to change their daily habits, and some will lose business opportunities.

Yet allowing a Chinese company — and, by extension, the Chinese government — to control US communications and an American’s personal information also has serious implications. Congress and the Supreme Court have decided that the dangers are great enough to justify interference. It is a sign of the strength of the US-China rivalry for global influence.

Bipartisan concerns

The boldness of TikTok’s mandate and its dual nature would not have seemed unusual a few decades ago. The history of the US is full of ambitious projects whose reasons were to fight foreign enemies, including the space program, the Interstate Highway System, post-Sputnik investments in scientific research, and industrialization during World War II.

Forcing a sale of TikTok, or even shutting it down, is apparently nowhere near the size of those services. However, it has come a long way in its own way. It’s a big enough change that many Americans find it hard to believe the government will go through with it. And it is about to happen because many policy makers have decided that the alternative is unacceptable.

In oral arguments at the Supreme Court last week, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a Republican nominee, spoke of the possibility that China could use TikTok’s data collection “to turn people, to humiliate people, people who, a generation from now, will be. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the Democratic nominee, also complained loudly that it could be spying. Justice Sonya Sotomayor, another Democratic nominee, said, “It’s about data management.”

TikTok says the Chinese government will not force the company to provide sensitive information, such as user communications. But this seems to be inconsistent with recent history, as the judges said in their decision. China “has been trying for years to obtain permanent records, especially of US citizens, to support its intelligence and intelligence activities,” the resolution said.

Polls in Congress also showed strong, mixed reactions. The bill passed 360 to 58 in the House and 78 to 18 in the Senate. In addition to data protection, members of Congress were concerned that China would use TikTok to spread lies and disinformation. Independent research you have found that the platform is already visible, which makes it difficult to find sympathetic videos in Taiwan, Tibet, Ukraine and other reasons that the Chinese Communist Party hates.

What’s next

The big question now is what the incoming Trump administration will do. During his previous presidency, Donald Trump helped create controversy over TikTok, calling it a national security threat. Since then he changed his position for unknown reasons. A TikTok fundraiser and Republican donor appears to have wooed Trump shortly after opposing the ban. She also enjoys her popularity on the show.

The Biden administration said yesterday that it would not impose a ban on the short window — 36 hours — after it takes effect and before Trump takes office. Trump says considering the hierarchy to delay the ban while its regulators try to facilitate sales negotiations to a non-Chinese owner. The Chinese government, for its part, insists that it will not allow ByteDance to sell TikTok. Beijing obviously takes TikTok very seriously.

The range of outcomes over the next few weeks remains high – including a shutdown, sale or other type of status quo and an ongoing legal battle.

Enter the poll: To understand the opinion of the Supreme Court, I recommend Adam Liptak’s article.

Migration

Some Big Stories

CULTURE CALENDAR

📺 “Prime Target” (Wednesday): Few of us enjoy mathematical proof. The series of eight episodes of the conspiracy on AppleTV + has other ideas. Leo Woodall (who was last seen in “White Lotus” Season 2 doing bad things on boats) stars as a Cambridge University academic who succeeds – a technique that can penetrate any digital security system. (Even two-factor authentication? Aaaah.) What will the tyrannical government officials do to help? Here, as sometimes in calculus, there is no limit. Quintessa Swindell (“Black Adam”) plays an NSA agent with dangerous equations of her own.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Breakfast Croque-Monsieur Casserole

Three-day weekends are always a good excuse for a long, leisurely brunch — especially one that’s close to food that can be made ahead of time. Biography of Sarah Copeland croque monsieur breakfast casserole it’s just that, a golden beauty, filled with sliced ​​baguettes, meat, and a melting cap of Gruyère cheese. It only takes about 15 minutes to assemble everything in the baking dish, which is easily done the night before. Then you can drink your morning coffee while the casserole is cooking, and let its buttery aroma be a welcome addition to greet your guests when they arrive.

REAL ESTATE

The Hunt: After getting out of prison, a single woman looked for a house in Tennessee where she could rebuild her life. What did he choose? Play our game.

TIPS FROM THE WIRECUTTER

Recycle your wooden furniture

Wooden cups are a better option than plastic ones. But it’s easy: they don’t react with dishwashers, they’re easy, and they can be painful if you don’t take good care of them. Fortunately, restoring the wooden trophies to their full glory it’s simple. When it starts to look dry, apply some essential oil and let it sit overnight. Then use a paper towel to apply a dime-sized dollop of wax to the surface – this helps seal in moisture and keep the wood in place. Liquid spoons should last for years, and maybe even a lifetime. – Erosion Score

GAMES OF THE WEEK

Notre Dame vs. Ohio State, college football championship: Notre Dame and Ohio State had the best defenses in the country, in terms of points allowed, and each is designed to stop the other’s offensive strengths. Ohio State wins against the run; Notre Dame is very good against the pass. The outcome could depend on the star passing: Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love or Ohio State freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith. Mondays at 7:30 pm Eastern on ESPN

NOW TIME TO PLAY