Trump Delays TikTok Ban Again as Deadline Extension Looms

TikTok, the popular video-sharing platform, has received a three-month reprieve from a US ban as President Trump prepares to sign an executive order extending the deadline. The move comes amid ongoing concerns over data security and China's involvement, alongside potential bids for the app’s ownership.

Under the backdrop of escalating tensions between the US and China, TikTok will continue to operate in the United States for at least another three months following President Donald Trump’s announcement of an extension to the deadline for a sale or ban of the app. This marks the third time Trump has extended the deadline since taking office earlier in the year.

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Trump intends to sign an executive order this week to allow TikTok to remain accessible, citing the need to "ensure this deal is closed so that the American people can continue to use TikTok with the assurance that their data is safe and secure." The app’s parent company, ByteDance, had initially been facing a deadline in January to sell TikTok to a US-based buyer, after the Trump administration raised alarms over data privacy and potential espionage.

Despite the announced extension, there remains uncertainty regarding its implications. Trump has previously expressed confidence in reaching an agreement with China, stating, "I think we’ll get it. I think President Xi will ultimately approve it." However, his unilateral decisions on the matter have sparked debate among legal experts about the legitimacy of extending the deadline.

Congress had earlier passed legislation mandating a sale or ban of TikTok, concerns reinforced by the Supreme Court upholding the law before Trump’s inauguration. The approval was part of broader efforts to address national security issues linked to foreign technology platforms. Notably, prior attempts to force a sale to American companies led to considerable debate and speculation about potential acquisitions, with various bidders, including cloud computing giant Oracle and social media influencers, expressing interest in acquiring TikTok.

Industry analysts have suggested that the environment around TikTok’s operations indicates confidence in its future. Kelsey Chickering, a principal analyst at Forrester, noted that the ongoing extensions rebut any looming fears of an imminent ban, contrasting TikTok’s recent advancements, such as new AI video tools introduced at the Cannes event.

The recent developments raise questions about the ongoing dance between business and politics, particularly as relationships with China evolve. Both TikTok and US administrators have underscored the intricacies involved in sorting out ownership details and navigating international law as they move forward.