Washington: President Donald Trump has announced a further 90-day delay in enforcing the law requiring TikTok’s sale in United States.
The law, driven by fears that the Chinese-owned app could compromise US data, mandates that ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, sell its US operations or face a ban.
However, TikTok has consistently denied allegations of data security risks and continues to operate its 170 million US users.
In a statement, TikTok expressed gratitude for President Trump’s support, emphasizing its ongoing cooperation with US authorities. Trump indicated that the sale must be finalized by September 17, with the extended deadline allowing more time for negotiations.
The process remains complex, with reports suggesting that approval from Chinese regulators in Beijing is a prerequisite for any sale or transfer of ownership. The delay reflects the ongoing efforts to strike a deal that satisfies both US security concerns and the company’s business interests.
White House officials, including press secretary Karoline Leavitt, highlighted that the extension aims to ensure a secure transaction that protects American user data, allowing TikTok to continue its operations in the US.
As discussions continue, the future of TikTok’s presence in the United States remains uncertain, with authorities balancing national security concerns against the app’s popularity among millions of American users.
Trump tried to force a sale of TikTok to an American buyer in 2020, during his first term in office.
But last year, he signalled he’d had a change of heart, saying the platform had helped him win the 2024 presidential election.
