TikTok Granted 90-Day Extension to Avoid US Ban
President-elect Donald Trump has announced his intention to grant TikTok a 90-day extension to negotiate a deal that will prevent the video-sharing platform from being banned in the United States.
In an interview with NBC News, Trump expressed his indecision but stated that he was leaning towards a reprieve. The extension would take effect after his inauguration on Monday.
A law passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden last year prohibited the distribution of TikTok in the US. The law provided a nine-month grace period for TikTok's China-based parent company to sell its US operations.
President Trump has the authority to extend the deadline if a sale is underway. In a phone interview with "Meet the Press," Trump hinted at the possibility of a 90-day extension, saying it was "appropriate."
The Biden administration has made it clear that the implementation of the law will fall to the Trump administration, as the ban is set to take effect the day after his inauguration.
In response, TikTok has requested a definitive statement from the Biden administration confirming that the law will not be enforced or fines issued to app store operators or US companies.
The White House dismissed TikTok's request as a "stunt" and urged the company to address its concerns with the incoming Trump administration.
Apple, Google, and Oracle, which provides server hosting for TikTok, have yet to comment on their plans for Sunday.