One of President Donald Trump’s first actions after being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States was to sign an executive order delaying the enforcement of a TikTok ban by 75 days. This decision gives TikTok roughly two months to explore options for securing its long-term operations in the United States.

The executive order directs government agencies to find a solution that ensures TikTok’s continued availability while addressing national security concerns. Specifically, the President instructed the Attorney General to pause any actions related to the ban during this period. “I am instructing the Attorney General not to take any action to enforce the Act for a period of 75 days to allow my administration to determine the appropriate path forward in a manner that protects national security while avoiding an abrupt shutdown of a communications platform used by millions of Americans,” the order states.

The ban stems from the Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA). Originally, TikTok services were set to end on January 19, 2025, when the app was briefly removed from app stores in the US before being reinstated within 24 hours.

“During this period, the Department of Justice shall take no action to enforce the Act or impose penalties on any entity for noncompliance, including activities such as distributing, maintaining, or updating foreign adversary-controlled applications,” the order further clarifies.

At a victory rally on Sunday, President Trump emphasized his conditions for TikTok’s continued presence in the US. He stated that TikTok would only be allowed to operate if its parent company, ByteDance, agreed to sell 50% of its ownership to a US-based entity.

TikTok’s Ongoing Challenges in the US

TikTok has faced scrutiny in the United States over national security concerns related to its parent company, ByteDance, and its alleged ties to the Chinese government. US officials have raised fears that user data collected by TikTok could be shared with Chinese authorities, compromising the privacy of American citizens.

For now, TikTok services remain operational in the US and will continue to be available until at least April 6, 2025. However, it remains unclear how the platform will comply with the new requirements or who might purchase a significant stake in the company.

While the temporary delay gives TikTok some breathing room, its long-term future in the United States is still uncertain, pending further negotiations and decisions by the Trump administration.