Keeping TikTok Alive: Trump's Extensions and Uncertain Future
Trump grants TikTok additional time in the United States for operations
TikTok's survival in the US hangs in the balance as President Donald Trump granted another 90-day lifeline to the popular video-sharing app instead of banning it per a US law.
The extension means TikTok will continue its reign in the US despite a law mandating its sale from its Chinese parent company ByteDance to an American buyer by January 19 or face removal from the US market. Trump's first extension, a 75-day grace period, began in January, with the caveat that further extensions might be possible without legal basis.
The initial 75 days passed without any concrete progress in talks, and no promising negotiations have been reported to date. Politicians and experts in the US fear that Chinese authorities could use TikTok to spy on Americans or manipulate public opinion. However, both TikTok and ByteDance have consistently denied these allegations.
The App as the Battlefield
The TikTok algorithm, which decides the videos users see next, is a hot topic of debate. Critics contend that the Chinese government may leverage this tool to influence public opinion in the US. Yet, TikTok and ByteDance have vehemently rejected these claims. As per the law, neither the Chinese government nor ByteDance should control the algorithm.
China Holds the Cards
Trump attempted to force the sale of TikTok's US operations during his first term, only to be thwarted by American courts. Since then, China has imposed a rule that all software algorithm sales require its approval, adding another layer of complexity to the sale negotiations.
As of June 2025, TikTok's future in the US remains uncertain. The law passed under President Joe Biden solidly backs the app's exit from the US, but Trump's continued support may collaborate towards a third extension.
- TikTok Sale Deadline Extended Amid Ongoing National Security Concerns
- TikTok Faces Potential Ban in US as Biden Signs Law
- As the deadline for TikTok's sale from ByteDance to an American buyer is moved to January 2026, concerns over national security continue to loom large.
- The potential influence of TikTok's algorithm in shaping public opinion, a point of debate, could be impacted by the Chinese government's approval for any algorithm sales.
- With the law mandating TikTok's exit from the US market, the ongoing negotiations for the sale of TikTok's operations could be affected by the dynamic interplay of politics, policy-and-legislation, and technology.
- The effects of TikTok's potential ban on social-media, entertainment, and general-news platforms in the US could have profound implications for the industry, warranting careful consideration by policy-makers.
