So is TikTok Banned?
On January 19th in the United States, TikTok was no longer functioning and was removed from the Google and Apple app store. The next day, TikTok was back, along with a message that read, “As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.” The day after Trump’s inauguration, he issued an executive order delaying the ban for 75 days, until April 4th. Trump won the youth vote, which is not common for Republicans. This is believed to be partly because of Trump’s effort to keep TikTok. Trump has a little more than 15 million followers on TikTok, and without TikTok, he would have less relevance with the younger generation. Less than a month later, on February 13th, TikTok returned to both app stores. However, Google said it would only keep TikTok available until the end of the 75 day extension. Finally, on March 9th, there have been four groups in conversation over the sale of the app. If the app is sold to an American buyer, then it can still be used in the US. However, most do not think TikTok is going to sell to a buyer easily. This is because of the algorithm. Each user on TikTok has a “for you page” that is based off the user’s previous views and likes. This algorithm has created so much success for the app, and it is not something they would want to get rid of.
What’s Next?
The 75 day extension came to an end; however, TikTok did not go dark then. This is because President Trump granted TikTok a second extension, for another 75 days. Negotiators were preparing to make a deal with TikTok on Friday, April 3, but Chinese regulators stopped the procedure by announcing they would not accept the agreement in response to Trump’s increased tariffs. However, the app is technically illegal currently in the Unites States because it is still owned by a Chinese Company. Many US citizens are hoping the app will stay, as TikTok is a popular app for millions of people. It is hard to tell when TikTok will be shut down in America, and if it will be at all.
Works Cited
Axios. www.axios.com/2025/01/13/tiktok-ban-timeline.
The Economic Times. economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/is-tiktok-getting-banned-after-april-5-heres-what-us-president-donald-trump-plans-to-do-and-what-does-the-law-say/articleshow/119717079.cms?from=mdr.
FOX Business. www.foxbusiness.com/media/president-trump-vows-extend-tik-tok-ban-deadline-until-deal-struck.
NPR. www.npr.org/2025/04/04/nx-s1-5347418/trump-tiktok-second-ban-delay.
