TikTok Ban in U.S. Amid National Security Concerns

TikTok faced a nationwide ban in the U.S. following a Supreme Court decision upholding a law that required its Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the app to a non-Chinese buyer by January 19, 2025, due to national security concerns. The app was removed from Apple and Google stores, and its service was suspended, affecting 170 million U.S. users and causing some disruptions internationally. President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to issue an executive order that would extend the deadline by 90 days, allowing time for a potential deal, and assured there would be no liability for companies that helped TikTok remain operational. The decision to potentially reinstate TikTok is seen as a move to protect national security while maintaining the app's presence in the U.S. market. Outgoing President Joe Biden's administration chose not to enforce the ban, leaving the matter to Trump upon his return to office. Despite the shutdown, TikTok expressed gratitude for Trump's commitment to finding a solution to resume its services in the U.S.