TikTok Ban Delayed: 75 Days To Assess Security Concerns

U.S. President Donald Trump has temporarily postponed enforcing the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, aimed at TikTok and other apps connected to its China-based parent company, ByteDance.

The Act, effective January 19, 2025, prohibits app stores and hosting services from supporting such platforms, citing national security concerns. In an Executive Order issued today, the President paused enforcement for 75 days. This pause allows his administration to review the risks posed by TikTok.

It also provides time to assess the adequacy of TikTok’s security measures. The administration aims to find solutions that safeguard national security. At the same time, it seeks to maintain access for 170 million American users.

The President criticized the timing of the Act, which took effect just one day before his term began, complicating an immediate response.

During his first term in 2020, Trump issued an executive order banning TikTok. Now, he is attempting to bypass a bipartisan law that took effect on January 19, as noted by The Verge.

The legality of Trump’s efforts to pause the ban remains uncertain. The law permits a 90-day extension if ByteDance announces a sale to a U.S.-based company before the deadline.

However, The Verge notes that no such sale has been announced, and it’s unclear if an extension is possible after the January 19 deadline. Trump is not relying on the extension clause but is instead trying to override the law outright.

According to Reuters, Google Trends data showed a surge in searches for “VPN” after TikTok became inaccessible to U.S. users. Concerns also grew on Instagram about delayed TikTok Shop orders. Marketing firms, caught off guard, scrambled to devise contingency plans after assuming the app’s availability would continue.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is reportedly planning to attend the presidential inauguration and a Trump rally on Sunday, signaling the platform’s ongoing political and business significance, as reported by Reuters.

Interest in TikTok’s U.S. operations has surged, with suitors such as former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and Beijing allegedly exploring a potential sale. However, the company has denied reports of negotiations with Elon Musk, according to Reuters.

Separately, The Verge reported that Trump announced the U.S. government could hold a 50% stake in TikTok through a vague “joint venture” with a private company. The details of how such an arrangement would work remain unclear.

Meanwhile, U.S. search engine startup Perplexity AI has submitted a bid to ByteDance to merge with TikTok U.S., aiming to form a new entity with additional partners. ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, is predominantly owned by institutional investors, with founders and employees each holding 20%, Reuters noted.

The legal implications of delaying the enforcement of the Act remain uncertain as the situation develops.