US DOJ Grants Immunity to 10 Tech Giants Over TikTok Ban

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, under President Donald Trump's administration, sent letters to major tech companies including Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon, granting them immunity from prosecution for continuing to provide services to TikTok despite a federal ban enacted by Congress due to national security concerns. This executive directive, which suspends enforcement of the 2024 TikTok ban law upheld by the Supreme Court, was intended to prevent interference with the President's constitutional duties in national security and foreign affairs. The letters, made public only after Freedom of Information Act lawsuits, reveal that companies were assured they would not face legal liability or penalties for ignoring the ban, allowing TikTok to return to U.S. app stores after a brief removal. While Trump has extended compliance deadlines several times and is reportedly working toward a potential sale of TikTok's U.S. operations pending Chinese approval, legal experts have expressed concern that this unprecedented presidential immunity could set a dangerous precedent for circumventing Congressional authority. Tech companies have not publicly commented on the letters, and questions remain about the long-term legal standing of these protections, especially with the possibility of future administrations reversing them. The disclosures highlight a significant conflict between executive action and legislative intent regarding national security and technology regulation.