TikTok’s future within the U.S. stays unsure, however for now, the app has prevented a full ban — together with a quick removing simply forward of its authentic January 19, 2025, deadline. Because of a last-minute government order from President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, the ban was postponed, permitting TikTok to stay accessible to U.S. customers.
Right here’s what to find out about the place issues stand — and what might occur subsequent.
Was TikTok Banned in america?
The TikTok ban in america was scheduled to take impact on January 19, 2025. Nevertheless, customers started experiencing points the night time earlier than — on January 18 — with many reporting they couldn’t load associates’ movies or add new content material simply hours forward of the deadline.
On January 20, President Trump signed an government order granting a 75-day extension, quickly protecting the app out there to U.S. customers. That extension was set to run out on April 5. However on April 4, Trump introduced a second 75-day delay, as his administration continues to work on a deal that would protect TikTok’s entry within the U.S. whereas addressing nationwide safety issues.
Why Is There a TikTok Ban?
The regulation, signed by former President Joe Biden in April 2024, allegedly facilities on nationwide safety issues. Critics argue that TikTok’s mother or father firm, ByteDance, primarily based in Beijing, may very well be required by the Chinese language authorities handy over U.S. person knowledge in compliance with Chinese language regulation.
TikTok, which filed a lawsuit towards the federal government in Might of the identical 12 months, has constantly denied allegations that it may very well be utilized by Beijing to spy on or manipulate Individuals. The corporate’s authorized group has argued that the U.S. authorities has failed to offer any proof displaying that TikTok has shared person knowledge with the Chinese language authorities or manipulated content material to profit Beijing.
Has TikTok Been Purchased by a New Firm?
TikTok has but to be bought by one other firm, however rumors have swirled that Amazon and Walmart are fascinated by collaborating in an funding.
Since President Trump’s extension, a number of prospects have emerged. In line with NPR final month, Oracle, Microsoft, and different American buyers have been getting ready a bid to amass TikTok’s U.S. operations, with steerage from prime White Home officers. Moreover, in early February, President Trump talked about that with the creation of the sovereign wealth fund, he was “going to be doing one thing maybe with TikTok,” additional hinting at the potential of the U.S. authorities taking part in a job within the sale of the social media app.
Do Individuals Must Delete TikTok?
There may be presently no authorized requirement for American customers to delete the TikTok app or their accounts.
Nevertheless, beneath the proposed regulation, TikTok will probably be banned within the U.S. except its mother or father firm, ByteDance, sells it to a non-Chinese language entity by the prolonged deadline. U.S. app shops and web service suppliers might face important fines in the event that they proceed to host or distribute the app after the ban takes impact.
