United States, with the largest TikTok audience of 135.79 million, is about to ban this social media platform due to security concerns. After coming into the Oval Office, Donald Trump has given an executive order to ban TikTok on April 5 if the platform is not sold to a non-Chinese owner. Meanwhile, ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, is looking for a buyer before the deadline. This critical situation will not only decide the future of TikTok in the United States but it may also set the precedent for other Chinese-owned tech businesses in the region.
This is not the first time Donald Trump has disliked TikTok. In his last presidential tenure, he showed concerns about the Chinese ownership of this popular social media platform that has the potential to steal personal data of US citizens. Moreover, TikTok is being alleged to spread propaganda among American teenagers by including misinformed videos in their timelines. However, considering the popularity and utility of TikTok to meet personal ends during the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump showed silence over the future of this app in the United States for the time being.
The current executive orders of Trump to ban TikTok in the US are an extension of some of the last executive orders of Joe Biden. In 2024, Joe Biden also gave a deadline to ByteDance until 19 January 2025 to sell this app to a non-Chinese buyer, which was extended till April 5 by Trump.
As the time-bomb is ticking, ByteDance has accelerated its efforts to sell this $50 billion asset. There are speculations that Reid Rasner, CEO of Omnivest Financial, has submitted a bid of $47.45 billion, but there is no confirmation from the current owner. Moreover, US Vice President J.D. Vance recently affirmed that a deal would be broken before the deadline. He said
“There will almost certainly be a high-level agreement that satisfies our national security concerns and allows for a distinct American TikTok enterprise,”
The evolving interest of Trump to ensure a smooth deal before the deadline shows that Trump does not want a complete closure of this social media app. Moreover, the extension of date till April 5 also shows the same intention.
What Next?
Though the future of TikTok in the US is yet to be decided, the US’ security concerns over a Chinese-owned social media app have raised questions about the future of the interwoven tech industry in the coming days. Is the US going to stop at TikTok or other non-American social media platforms, particularly Chinese, which will face the same fate?
As the April 5th deadline approaches, the fate of TikTok in the U.S. hangs in the balance. A successful sale would preserve the app’s presence in the American market and address longstanding national security concerns. However, the high stakes and intricate political dynamics make this one of the most challenging deals in recent tech history.
Whether through an extension or a finalized agreement, the outcome will set a precedent for how the U.S. navigates the intersection of technology, national security, and global competition in the digital age.
