President Donald Trump's administration has once again extended the deadline for TikTok's sale or potential ban in the United States, allowing the app to continue operating amidst ongoing concerns over data privacy and security.
Trump Postpones TikTok Ban Deadline for Third Time
Trump Postpones TikTok Ban Deadline for Third Time
The White House announces a new 90-day extension for the controversial TikTok sale or ban deadline.
The extension of TikTok's operational deadline came from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who stated that President Trump would sign an Executive Order later this week ensuring that the popular video-sharing platform remains available for an additional three months. This marks the third time Trump has postponed the deadline since taking office, with previous actions aligned with concerns surrounding data security linked to TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
Originally, TikTok was supposed to cease operations in the US following a potential ban set for January, should ByteDance fail to sell the app to an American entity. Leavitt emphasized that this extension would not only grant American users continued access to TikTok but would also assure them that their data remains safe and secure during the negotiations.
Before the official announcement, Trump expressed his intent to likely extend the deadline, suggesting that he anticipated necessary approval from Chinese President Xi Jinping. When questioned about the legitimacy of his extension, he maintained that his administration possesses a legal basis for the action.
This extension appears to come in contrast with the intentions of Congress, which had passed the sale-or-ban legislation last year, signed into law by former President Biden. The law was instigated by a growing apprehension that TikTok could potentially be manipulated by the Chinese government for espionage and influence. The Supreme Court had supported the lower court's ruling to uphold this legislation earlier in January.
While analysts were previously wary about the prospect of a TikTok ban, some, including Forrester principal analyst Kelsey Chickering, have started to view the likelihood of such an action more skeptically given Trump’s consistent postponements. Analysts have pointed to TikTok's proactive measures, such as its recent rollout of AI video tools, as a sign of the company's confidence in surviving this turbulent period.
The Trump administration had previously indicated that an agreement with China regarding the American control of TikTok's operations was nearing finalization. However, ByteDance representatives have mentioned unresolved legal matters concerning any potential agreements under Chinese law.
Trump has previously stated he would consider an acquisition by Oracle, which has ties to him through co-founder Larry Ellison. Other bidders are also reportedly in the mix, including investors like Billionaire Frank McCourt, businessman Kevin O'Leary, and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. Notably, prominent YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, alias MrBeast, has shown interest in forming another bid to acquire TikTok.
As the political and economic discussions surrounding TikTok continue, the future of the app remains in a state of flux, reflecting the ongoing complexities of US-China relations and technology governance.
Originally, TikTok was supposed to cease operations in the US following a potential ban set for January, should ByteDance fail to sell the app to an American entity. Leavitt emphasized that this extension would not only grant American users continued access to TikTok but would also assure them that their data remains safe and secure during the negotiations.
Before the official announcement, Trump expressed his intent to likely extend the deadline, suggesting that he anticipated necessary approval from Chinese President Xi Jinping. When questioned about the legitimacy of his extension, he maintained that his administration possesses a legal basis for the action.
This extension appears to come in contrast with the intentions of Congress, which had passed the sale-or-ban legislation last year, signed into law by former President Biden. The law was instigated by a growing apprehension that TikTok could potentially be manipulated by the Chinese government for espionage and influence. The Supreme Court had supported the lower court's ruling to uphold this legislation earlier in January.
While analysts were previously wary about the prospect of a TikTok ban, some, including Forrester principal analyst Kelsey Chickering, have started to view the likelihood of such an action more skeptically given Trump’s consistent postponements. Analysts have pointed to TikTok's proactive measures, such as its recent rollout of AI video tools, as a sign of the company's confidence in surviving this turbulent period.
The Trump administration had previously indicated that an agreement with China regarding the American control of TikTok's operations was nearing finalization. However, ByteDance representatives have mentioned unresolved legal matters concerning any potential agreements under Chinese law.
Trump has previously stated he would consider an acquisition by Oracle, which has ties to him through co-founder Larry Ellison. Other bidders are also reportedly in the mix, including investors like Billionaire Frank McCourt, businessman Kevin O'Leary, and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. Notably, prominent YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, alias MrBeast, has shown interest in forming another bid to acquire TikTok.
As the political and economic discussions surrounding TikTok continue, the future of the app remains in a state of flux, reflecting the ongoing complexities of US-China relations and technology governance.
