President-elect Donald J. Trump said Sunday he would issue an executive order blocking a federal ban on TikTok, just hours after major app stores removed the popular social media site and it was no longer active for U.S. users.
“I'm asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark,” Mr. Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period before the bans go into effect so we can reach a deal to protect our national security.”
The ban stems from a 2024 law that requires app stores and cloud computing providers to stop distributing or hosting TikTok unless it is sold by Chinese parent company ByteDance. Lawmakers passed the law over concerns that the Chinese government could use the app, which it says has about 170 million users in the United States, to gather information about Americans or spread propaganda.
App stores and cloud computing providers that fail to comply with the law could face significant financial penalties. Mr. Trump said in his post on Sunday that he would “confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped prevent TikTok from going dark before my order.” Mr. Trump provided no additional details about the planned order.
It is unclear whether Trump's efforts will be successful. His executive order could be legally challenged, and companies subject to the law may conclude that it does not provide sufficient assurance that they will not be punished for violating a law that has been passed overwhelmingly in Congress accepted.
This story is current and will be updated.
