US President Donald Trump has vowed to extend the deadline for the US ban on TikTok, pending the completion of a deal to transfer ownership from Chinese parent company ByteDance to a US-based entity.
His comments came during a televised interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, in which he acknowledged a “warm spot” for the app, citing its popularity with young voters.
TikTok, which boasts approximately 170 million users in the United States, is under threat of being outlawed due to national security concerns linked to foreign surveillance and data handling practices.
The most recent legislative move, signed into law by President Joe Biden in April 2024, imposes a ban on TikTok unless ByteDance sells its US operations by 19 January 2025.
Brief Shutdown and Executive Action Underscore App’s Vulnerability
The app experienced a temporary 24-hour blackout in January 2025 when the law was originally due to take effect.
During that time, Apple and Google removed TikTok from their app stores, and users in the US saw an in-app message stating: “We regret that a U.S. law banning TikTok will take effect on January 19 and force us to make our services temporarily unavailable, we’re working to restore our service in the U.S. as soon as possible, and we appreciate your support. Please stay tuned,”
In April, Trump signed a second 75-day extension, delaying enforcement of the ban until early July 2025. In the interim, ByteDance continues negotiations with several American firms for a potential acquisition that would satisfy regulatory conditions.
TikTok at the Centre of National Debate Over Data and Youth Impact
Criticism of TikTok remains entrenched in Washington, with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers expressing concern over China’s influence and the potential misuse of personal data. National security officials have repeatedly argued that the platform could be used for surveillance or propaganda, particularly targeting younger audiences.
Despite those concerns, Trump has softened his stance in recent months. In an interview with Fox News in January, he questioned the seriousness of the threat, asking, “Is it so important for China to be spying on young people watching crazy videos?”
His remarks have sparked renewed debate over the app’s future and its broader implications for tech regulation, youth mental health, and US-China digital relations. While negotiations continue, TikTok remains operational — though its fate beyond July depends heavily on whether a US-based acquisition is successfully concluded.
