Donald Trump has indicated that he will “most likely” grant TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the impending US ban. The decision, expected to be announced on Monday, coincides with Trump’s swearing-in as the 47th US president.
TikTok had warned it would “go dark” on Sunday unless the Biden administration provided clarity on the ban’s enforcement. However, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dismissed this warning as a “stunt”, stating that actions under the new law would fall to Trump’s administration.
The US Supreme Court upheld a law requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform by 19 January. ByteDance has refused to comply, intensifying tensions. US officials argue that TikTok poses national security risks, claiming China could misuse user data, allegations TikTok denies.
On Friday, Trump discussed TikTok with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Meanwhile, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected at Trump’s inauguration, signalling high-level discussions on the app’s future.
TikTok’s fate mirrors the situation in India, where the app was banned in 2020 over security concerns. After the ban, 200 million users lost access, and rivals like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts filled the gap.
The platform, boasting 170 million US users, has become essential for small businesses and political campaigns targeting younger voters. Fashion designer Nicole Bloomgarden described the app as critical to her income.
With TikTok at a crossroads, Trump’s forthcoming decision will impact millions of users, businesses, and the broader tech landscape.