• TikTok calls reports of a potential sale to Elon Musk “pure fiction.”
• Lawmakers are urging an extension of the January 19 deadline for the app's divestiture.
• The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a law that could enforce a ban if ByteDance does not sell TikTok.
• Elon Musk has emerged as a potential buyer amid talks between Chinese officials.

TikTok has firmly rejected claims suggesting that the Chinese government is in discussions to sell its U.S. operations to billionaire Elon Musk, labeling the reports as “pure fiction.” The platform's parent company, ByteDance, faces a January 19 deadline to divest from TikTok to avoid a ban in the United States, an ultimatum attributed to national security concerns regarding user data privacy.

According to reports by Al Jazeera and Newsweek, Chinese officials are rumored to be considering the possibility of Musk acquiring TikTok's U.S. operations. This speculation arises from a wary stance towards the impending ban, which follows a law signed by President Joe Biden aimed at safeguarding national security.

The Supreme Court is currently weighing TikTok's legal challenge against the divest-or-ban law. During oral arguments, justices seemed inclined to uphold the law, raising concerns that TikTok could manipulate users and collect their data. Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) expressed worry about the impact of a potential ban on millions of creators who rely on the platform for their livelihoods. He has drafted the "Extend the TikTok Deadline Act," proposing an additional 270 days for ByteDance to sell the app.

Political opposition to the ban has emerged from various quarters, with concerns that the limitations imposed could infringe upon the First Amendment. Some lawmakers are advocating for a reconsideration of the ban, arguing that it undermines free speech rights, while urging Biden to extend the deadline if he finds that ByteDance is making substantial progress toward a sale.

Musk's potential involvement is notable given his ties to political figures, including his support for former President Donald Trump, who has also suggested delaying the TikTok ban to facilitate a political resolution. Reports indicate that Trump's position on TikTok has shifted from one of advocating a ban during his earlier administration to now seeking to “save” the app as crucial for America's youth.

With TikTok's future hanging in the balance, discussions among stakeholders, including Musk and other potential buyers, show the complex interplay of tech, politics, and public sentiment regarding online platforms and data security. As various interested parties speculate on how to best preserve TikTok in the U.S. market, time is running short for ByteDance.

For further information, refer to the original articles from Salon and USA Today.