Trump Signs Executive Order in Attempt to Delay TikTok Ban

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday that would effectively delay the impending ban on popular social media app TikTok in the United States. The move comes amid ongoing negotiations between TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, and American tech giant Oracle over a potential deal to address national security concerns.

The executive order gives ByteDance 90 days to divest its US operations, citing concerns over data privacy and national security. Trump has repeatedly expressed his distrust of TikTok, claiming that the Chinese-owned app poses a threat to national security by potentially sharing user data with the Chinese government.

In a statement, Trump emphasized the importance of protecting American interests and ensuring the security of personal data. “TikTok has been caught red-handed transmitting user data to servers in China,” he said. “This executive order will safeguard the data of millions of American users and prevent the Chinese Communist Party from accessing sensitive information.”

The executive order also prohibits any transactions with ByteDance or its subsidiaries, effectively banning TikTok from operating in the US if a deal is not reached within the 90-day period. However, the order allows for the possibility of extending the deadline if necessary.

The announcement comes as TikTok is facing mounting pressure from the Trump administration and lawmakers in Washington. Earlier this month, Trump issued an executive order that would ban TikTok from US app stores starting on September 20 unless a deal was reached. The order also called for a complete ban on TikTok in the US by November 12.

The proposed deal with Oracle would involve the creation of a new company called TikTok Global, in which Oracle and other American investors would have a significant stake. The new company would be headquartered in the US and operate as a separate entity from ByteDance.

Despite the executive order, the future of TikTok in the US remains uncertain as negotiations between ByteDance and Oracle continue. TikTok has become a popular platform for users to create and share short videos, with over 100 million users in the US alone.

In a statement, TikTok expressed disappointment over the executive order and emphasized its commitment to protecting user data. “We are committed to protecting our users’ privacy and data security,” the company said. “We will continue to work with the administration to address their concerns and find a solution that is beneficial for all parties involved.”

As the deadline for the ban approaches, the fate of TikTok in the US hangs in the balance. The executive order signed by Trump is just the latest development in the ongoing saga of the popular social media app and its uncertain future in the country.