Trump Delays TikTok Ban, Orders 75-Day Pause for National Security Review

Photo by Solen Feyissa

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order delaying enforcement of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act for 75 days, allowing his administration time to assess the national security risks posed by TikTok while exploring potential resolutions to prevent an abrupt shutdown of the platform.

The law, which took effect on January 19, 2025—one day before Trump took office—prohibits entities from distributing, maintaining, or updating TikTok and other applications controlled by its China-based parent company, ByteDance Ltd., citing national security concerns. However, Trump argues that the timing of the law’s implementation interferes with his administration’s ability to evaluate its implications and negotiate an alternative solution.

“I intend to consult with my advisors, including the heads of relevant departments and agencies, on the national security concerns posed by TikTok,” Trump stated in the executive order. “My administration must also review sensitive intelligence related to those concerns and evaluate the sufficiency of mitigation measures TikTok has taken to date.”

The executive order directs the Attorney General to refrain from enforcing the law for 75 days, ensuring that TikTok and its service providers face no penalties during this period. The Attorney General will also issue letters to relevant companies affirming that they have not violated the statute and are not liable for compliance issues during this timeframe.

Despite delaying enforcement, Trump’s order reinforces his administration’s focus on national security, warning that any resolution must address concerns over foreign influence while balancing the interests of TikTok’s 170 million U.S. users.

This move follows years of debate over TikTok’s potential risks, with U.S. lawmakers raising concerns that ByteDance, a China-based company, could be compelled to share American user data with the Chinese government. While previous efforts to force a sale of TikTok to a U.S.-based company stalled under legal challenges, the Trump administration’s delay signals a potential shift in strategy.

The 75-day pause sets the stage for high-stakes negotiations between the U.S. government, TikTok, and other stakeholders. Whether Trump will ultimately enforce the ban or broker a deal remains to be seen.