Donald Trump Extends TikTok Ban

Donald Trump has signed an executive order to extend the deadline for ByteDance — TikTok Shop to operate in the United States for another 90 days, marking the third such extension. This decision aims to provide more time for his administration to broker a deal that would bring the social media platform under American ownership, addressing national security concerns regarding user data. The previous attempts to finalize a deal, including one in April, fell apart after China backed out following Donald Trump's tariff announcements. Despite criticism from figures like Mark Warner, who argues the administration is 'flouting the law,' the executive order has not faced legal challenges. ByteDance — TikTok Shop, owned by ByteDance, continues to function for its 170 million users in the United States, with tech giants Apple Inc., Alphabet Inc., and Oracle Corporation persuaded to support the app under assurances from the United States — United States Department of Justice against fines. Public opinion in the United States remains divided on a potential ByteDance — TikTok Shop ban, with data security being a primary concern for supporters of a ban.