TikTok will continue to be accessible to U.S. users for at least another three months following President Donald Trump's announcement of a third extension to the app's sale or ban deadline. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump will issue a new Executive Order this week to keep the platform operational, addressing concerns over user data in the process.
Originally slated for a ban due to the app's Chinese ownership under ByteDance, the deadline has seen multiple revisions since Trump took office. Leavitt stated that the extension is necessary to "ensure this deal is closed," allowing Americans to use the platform securely. Prior to the announcement, Trump had hinted that he would likely extend the deadline again, stating, "I think we'll get it" in relation to securing necessary approvals from China.
Despite concerns in Congress regarding national security and data privacy tied to TikTok—used by about 170 million Americans—Trump's move seems to counter existing legislation enacted last year under former President Joe Biden. The Supreme Court has upheld this law, aimed at mitigating perceived risks from the app.
Industry experts have noted that Trump's ongoing extensions raise skepticism about the likelihood of an eventual TikTok ban. Forrester principal analyst Kelsey Chickering remarked, "What ban? There is nothing 'looming' about the potential TikTok ban anymore," citing TikTok's confidence as they introduce new AI features.
Negotiations for ownership have yet to yield results despite initial promises in April that a deal for American control was imminent. ByteDance has reiterated that any agreement would require compliance with Chinese law. Trump has suggested the cloud computing giant Oracle as a potential buyer, alongside other bidders including billionaire Frank McCourt and YouTube star MrBeast, who has expressed interest in acquiring the platform.
