TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain, but for now, the app has avoided a full ban — including a brief removal just ahead of its original January 19, 2025, deadline. Thanks to a last-minute executive order from President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, the ban was postponed, allowing TikTok to remain accessible to U.S. users.
Here’s what to know about where things stand — and what could happen next.
Was TikTok Banned in the United States?
The TikTok ban in the United States was scheduled to take effect on January 19, 2025. However, users began experiencing issues the night before — on January 18 — with many reporting they couldn’t load friends’ videos or upload new content just hours ahead of the deadline.
On January 20, President Trump signed an executive order granting a 75-day extension, temporarily keeping the app available to U.S. users. That extension was set to expire on April 5. But on April 4, Trump announced a second 75-day delay, as his administration continues to work on a deal that could preserve TikTok’s access in the U.S. while addressing national security concerns.
Why Is There a TikTok Ban?
The law, signed by former President Joe Biden in April 2024, allegedly centers on national security concerns. Critics argue that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, based in Beijing, could be required by the Chinese government to hand over U.S. user data in compliance with Chinese law.
TikTok, which filed a lawsuit against the government in May of the same year, has consistently denied allegations that it could be used by Beijing to spy on or manipulate Americans. The company’s legal team has argued that the U.S. government has failed to provide any evidence showing that TikTok has shared user data with the Chinese government or manipulated content to benefit Beijing.
Has TikTok Been Bought by a New Company?
TikTok has yet to be purchased by another company, but rumors have swirled that Amazon and Walmart are interested in participating in an investment.
Since President Trump’s extension, several prospects have emerged. According to NPR last month, Oracle, Microsoft, and other American investors were preparing a bid to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations, with guidance from top White House officials. Additionally, in early February, President Trump mentioned that with the creation of the sovereign wealth fund, he was “going to be doing something perhaps with TikTok,” further hinting at the possibility of the U.S. government playing a role in the sale of the social media app.
Do Americans Need to Delete TikTok?
There is currently no legal requirement for American users to delete the TikTok app or their accounts.
However, under the proposed law, TikTok will be banned in the U.S. unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells it to a non-Chinese entity by the extended deadline. U.S. app stores and internet service providers could face significant fines if they continue to host or distribute the app after the ban takes effect.
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