President-elect Trump Considering TikTok 90-Day Ban Extension/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President-elect Donald Trump indicated he might grant TikTok a 90-day extension to finalize a sale and avoid a U.S. ban. The video-sharing platform faces restrictions under a law effective Sunday unless progress is made. Trump plans to announce a decision after his inauguration on Monday.
TikTok Ban Extension Quick Looks
- Trump “most likely” to extend TikTok’s deadline by 90 days.
- Law banning TikTok in the U.S. starts Sunday without a resolution.
- Extension hinges on progress in selling TikTok’s U.S. operations.
- Decision expected after Trump’s Monday inauguration.
- The law allows presidential discretion to grant a reprieve.
Deep Look
Trump Signals Potential 90-Day Extension for TikTok Ban
Introduction: TikTok’s Uncertain Future in the U.S.
President-elect Donald Trump has suggested he might grant TikTok a 90-day extension to finalize a deal that would prevent the popular video-sharing platform from being banned in the United States. In a Saturday interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump described the extension as “most likely” but emphasized that no final decision had been made.
Legal Background: Looming Ban Deadline
TikTok faces a critical juncture as a law banning mobile app stores and internet services from hosting the platform in the U.S. takes effect Sunday. The legislation, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden last year, required TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations to an approved buyer within nine months.
The law, however, allows the sitting president to issue a 90-day extension if a sale is underway. Trump’s potential decision would represent a significant test of his administration’s stance on technology and national security.
Trump’s Comments: ‘It’s a Very Big Situation’
During the NBC interview, Trump called the situation “very big” and indicated that extending the deadline would likely be the appropriate course of action. “The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done because it’s appropriate,” he said.
However, he stressed the importance of careful evaluation before making a final decision.
“We have to look at it carefully,” he told moderator Kristen Welker. “If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.”
Implications of the Decision
A decision to extend TikTok’s deadline could alleviate immediate tensions while providing ByteDance additional time to secure a buyer for its U.S. operations. The move would also offer relief to TikTok’s substantial U.S. user base, which numbers in the millions.
The potential ban stems from concerns over national security and data privacy, with lawmakers and regulators worried that ByteDance could share sensitive U.S. user data with the Chinese government. TikTok has consistently denied such allegations and has taken steps to address these concerns, including establishing data centers outside China and increasing transparency.
What’s Next for TikTok?
If the extension is granted, ByteDance will need to demonstrate progress toward a sale to meet the law’s requirements. Major tech companies have previously expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations, though no deal has yet been finalized.
A decision is expected shortly after Trump’s inauguration on Monday, and all eyes are on the president-elect as he determines TikTok’s fate in the U.S. market.
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