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BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE: TikTok’s fate in the United States is now in the hands of the Supreme Court and it's not looking good for the content creation app. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments over the law that could ban the app in the US.
Notably, the law, signed by President Joe Biden in April 2024, requires TikTok to be sold off from its China-based parent company, ByteDance, or face a US ban, according to CNN.
In an urgent submission to the Supreme Court, TikTok stated that if the law is not halted, it “will come into force on January 19, 2025, resulting in the shutdown of TikTok for over 170 million American users each month.”
Amidst all this, a rumor has made its way online claiming that Dolly Parton has won the bid to buy TikTok. But is there any truth to this? Let's find out.
Assertion: Dolly Parton successfully acquired TikTok through a winning bid.
A TikTok video went viral on January 7, Tuesday, claiming that Dolly Parton won the bid to buy TikTok. It was posted by @newstomakeyoulaugh and has so far garnered more than 17K likes, according to Distractify.
In a viral video, the iconic country music star famous for her beloved track 'Jolene' revealed her venture into social media. When questioned about her intentions for the platform, Dolly quipped, "Oh, sweetie, I just couldn’t let Trump have all the excitement to himself..."
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The video also suggested that Parton intended to launch a new feature in the app called Dolly Talk, which would allow users to recreate videos dressed in her signature outfits and wigs, according to the source.
The video suggested that Donald Trump was reportedly "brooding" at his Palm Beach estate following his defeat in the race against Parton.
Additionally, the viral TikTok video featured a message from Parton in which she expressed her heartfelt thanks to all those who have stood by her.
Incorrect: The viral TikTok video is not genuine.
While the viral clip makes some audacious assertions, it’s important to recognize that these claims are entirely untrue. The video is a product of AI generation and does not depict reality, as indicated by the page that shared the video, which describes itself in its bio as an "AI Comedy Creator."
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Additionally, no media organizations have supported the viral assertion, and there has been no official comment from Parton or her representatives. Many fans who responded to the video also recognized it as a hoax, according to the outlet.
One commenter said in the video, "It's a pity it's AI. This could have been the ideal answer," while another expressed, "Ugh. You really crushed my spirits. I was holding onto some hope."
Additionally, although Trump has voiced his opposition to the ban and claims he will "rescue" TikTok, he has not indicated any desire to acquire the application.
The potential ban of TikTok and its implications
More than 170 million people in the US use TikTok. Lawyers for the company contend that banning the app violates the First Amendment rights of those millions of users. The argument did not sway a federal appeals court, which upheld the ban-or-sale bill in December, according to the Guardian.
In April 2024, Congress notably approved the legislation with support from both parties. US lawmakers are concerned that China might disseminate propaganda via the app, although the outlet reports that they have not provided any evidence to substantiate these claims.
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President-elect Trump, who initially advocated for the app's ban in 2020, has since changed his stance, discovering a substantial following on the platform during the 2024 presidential election.
Moreover, he has filed a brief on TikTok’s behalf to stay the ban until he takes office on January 20. If the court acquiesces, Trump could grant a 90-day extension to TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to continue seeking a buyer, per MSNBC.
In the event of a ban, new users will be unable to download the app from any app stores, while current users will not have the option to update it. This is due to legal restrictions that prevent any organization from supporting the download or upkeep of the TikTok application.
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According to the Guardian, US lawmakers have informed Apple and Google, the operators of the two primary mobile app stores, that they need to be prepared to eliminate TikTok from their platforms by January 19.
Experts suggest that TikTok's 170 million users in the US are likely to continue using the app since it is already installed on their devices. Nonetheless, as time goes on, the lack of software and security updates may render the app unusable.