Internet Trump grants Tiktok more time by decree
On his first day as US President, Donald Trump has issued a decree granting the video app Tiktok more time before it is shut down in the USA. Trump was convinced that he would be able to negotiate a business agreement for the app by extending the deadline.
21.01.2025, 02:36
SDA
In his decree, Trump ordered the Department of Justice not to enforce the provisions of the law for 75 days. When signing the order, Trump also explained his plan for the USA to receive a 50 percent share of the app. This would be a reasonable price for Tiktok to continue to have access to the US market. Without the consent of the USA, Tiktok would be worth nothing. He could either broker a sale or ensure that the app closes down, Trump emphasized.
At the same time, Trump played down the data protection concerns. There are bigger problems than information about young Tiktok users falling into Chinese hands, he said.
A US law stipulates that Tiktok owner Bytedance, which is based in China, had to divest itself of Tiktok by last Sunday in order for the app to remain available in the US.
The law - which Trump must also abide by - was triggered by concerns that the Chinese government could use Tiktok to gain access to US users' data and manipulate public opinion in the US. Tiktok rejects this.
