Donald Trump has indicated that he will “most likely” grant TikTok a 90-day reprieve from a ban set to take effect on Sunday, just before his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States.
In an interview with NBC News, Trump indicated that an announcement regarding the matter is likely to be made on Monday, the day of his inauguration.
The social media platform’s warning indicates a potential shutdown on Sunday, contingent upon assurances from the outgoing Biden administration regarding the enforcement of the ban.
On Friday, the Supreme Court affirmed a law prohibiting the app’s operation in the United States unless its parent company, ByteDance, based in China, divests the platform by January 19. ByteDance has declined to pursue a buyer.
“A 90-day extension appears to be a likely outcome, as it is deemed appropriate.” It is indeed fitting. It is essential to examine the situation with scrutiny. “It’s a huge situation,” Trump stated during a phone interview with NBC News.
He offered comparable comments a few hours later to ABC News.
“I have the authority in this situation, as I will be the one making the decisions,” he stated in an interview with ABC. An extension is anticipated to be granted for 90 days, as is commonly understood. “I will continue with that approach until we come to a resolution.”
TikTok announced late Friday that the White House and the Department of Justice had not delivered the essential clarity and assurance required by the service providers, which is crucial for ensuring TikTok’s continued availability.
On Saturday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre characterised TikTok’s announcement of an impending shutdown as “a stunt.”
“There is no justification for TikTok or any other companies to make decisions in the coming days before the inauguration of the Trump administration on Monday,” she stated.
The position has been articulated clearly and directly: the subsequent administration will be responsible for implementing this law. TikTok and other companies are urged to address any concerns raised by users.
On Friday, Trump revealed that he had a conversation with China’s President Xi Jinping, during which they addressed TikTok and various other topics.
Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of TikTok, is expected to join a group of technology leaders at Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday.
US national security officials have raised alarms about the potential for Chinese spies to exploit the app’s data to monitor American federal employees and contractors, a claim that TikTok has firmly rejected.
On Friday, the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., accused the United States of unfairly suppressing TikTok. A spokesperson said China would implement all necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights and interests.
The platform boasts a significant following, claiming 170 million users across the United States. The platform has emerged as an essential resource for American political campaigns aiming to engage younger voters.
Former President Trump, who once supported a ban on TikTok, has recently expressed a newfound appreciation for the app. He highlighted the billions of views his videos garnered on the platform during his presidential campaign last year.
Following the legislation enacted last April, the US version of the app will soon be removed from app stores and web-hosting services.
Content creators and small businesses that rely on the app for income expressed to the BBC that a shutdown would significantly alter their livelihoods.
“TikTok has become a significant source of income for me, as brands are eager to have their products promoted on the platform,” said Nicole Bloomgarden, a fashion designer and artist who actively engages with TikTok, in an interview with the BBC.
TikTok has yet to respond to a BBC inquiry into the implications of its potential decision to “go dark” in the United States.
One potential scenario mirrors the situation in India, where the platform encountered significant challenges with local authorities.
In 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took decisive action to ban numerous Chinese-owned applications, including TikTok, following a violent clash with Chinese troops in disputed border areas.
Following a directive to internet providers, India’s 200 million TikTok users could not log in just two weeks later, as access to the app was effectively blocked.
Google and Apple’s app stores have ceased to provide access to TikTok, which opted not to legally contest India’s ban.
In the wake of the ban, rival short-form platforms have predominantly taken over the space, with Meta’s Instagram Reels and Google’s YouTube Shorts emerging as notable imitators of TikTok.
Meta is primarily regarded as the primary beneficiary following India’s ban on TikTok.
