President Donald Trump has issued an executive order granting TikTok a 75-day extension to comply with a law requiring its sale or ban. This decision follows a significant shift in Trump's stance on the popular social media app, which he previously attempted to ban in 2020. The law, upheld by the Supreme Court, came into effect last Sunday, and TikTok had ceased operations for its 170 million users in the United States on Saturday evening.
"I tell you what. Every rich person has called me about TikTok." – President Trump
Trump's change of heart came after personally using TikTok and experiencing its widespread popularity. The executive order, signed on Monday evening, allows TikTok's parent company, Bytedance, additional time to comply with the legal requirements. This reprieve comes as a relief to American users who were eager for the app's services to resume.
TikTok's chief executive, Shou Zi Chew, was present at Trump's inauguration on Monday, underscoring the company's commitment to resolving the situation. The event also saw attendance from other significant figures in the technology sector, including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos. Their presence highlights the broader interest and impact of the decision within the tech industry.
The law was enacted on national security grounds and mandates either a sale of TikTok's US operations or a complete ban of the platform. Despite this requirement, Bytedance had previously ignored the law, leading to a halt in services for American users over the weekend. With the executive order now in place, the US government will not enforce the law during the extension period, providing TikTok a temporary respite to negotiate compliance.
The 75-day extension serves not only as a tactical delay but also as an opportunity for TikTok to align with US legal expectations without immediate threat of enforcement. This move allows both parties time to navigate the complexities of international business regulations and national security concerns.