President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday, granting TikTok an additional 75 days before a law banning the popular video-sharing platform takes effect.
The move comes as the administration seeks to carefully evaluate the next steps in addressing national security concerns while avoiding a sudden disruption for millions of American users.
In the order, President Trump instructed the Attorney General to refrain from enforcing the ban, allowing his administration time to “determine the appropriate course forward in an orderly way that protects national security while avoiding an abrupt shutdown of a communications platform used by millions of Americans.” This decision emphasises the complexity of balancing national security interests with the widespread reliance on TikTok as a social media and communication tool.
The executive order follows months of scrutiny over TikTok’s ties to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, with U.S. officials expressing concerns about potential data privacy risks and foreign influence.
The extended deadline provides a window for the administration to explore potential solutions, including the possibility of a sale or restructuring of TikTok’s U.S. operations to address these security issues.
As the debate over TikTok’s future continues, the 75-day extension offers a temporary reprieve for the platform’s vast user base and content creators, who have grown increasingly vocal about the app’s cultural and economic impact.
The administration’s next steps will be closely watched as it navigates the intersection of technology, national security, and free expression.
President Trump issued an executive order addressing the application of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act to TikTok. The Act, which targets apps controlled by foreign adversaries like TikTok and its parent company ByteDance, prohibits distributing, maintaining, or updating such apps in the U.S. effective January 19, 2025.
The order highlights the President’s responsibility to address national security concerns while protecting TikTok’s 170 million American users. Due to the Act’s timing—one day before the President took office—it interferes with his ability to assess its implications and negotiate a resolution. To address this, the President directs the Attorney General to delay enforcement of the Act for 75 days. During this period, no penalties will be imposed for noncompliance, and the Department of Justice will issue guidance and letters to providers clarifying no liability for conduct during this time.
The order also emphasizes the federal government’s exclusive authority to enforce the Act, preventing states or private parties from encroaching on this responsibility. It concludes by stating that the order does not create any enforceable rights or benefits for any party.
Key Points:
- TikTok and ByteDance are classified as foreign adversary-controlled applications under the Act.
- Enforcement of the Act is delayed for 75 days to allow the administration to assess national security concerns and avoid an abrupt shutdown of TikTok.
- The Attorney General is instructed to issue guidance and ensure no penalties are imposed during this period.
- The federal government retains exclusive authority to enforce the Act.
As TikTok faces a potential shutdown in the U.S. on January 19 due to ownership concerns, pending a Supreme Court decision, another Chinese app has started gaining significant traction. According to TechCrunch, American users are flocking to Xiaohongshu, known in English as RedNote.
The app recently climbed to the No. 1 spot on the U.S. App Store’s free apps chart and also ranks as the top Social Networking app among free iPhone downloads.
The surge in popularity is being driven in part by TikTok creators promoting Xiaohongshu on their accounts, encouraging their audiences to consider it as a viable alternative.
While the fate of TikTok remains uncertain, influencers appear to be hedging their bets by establishing a presence on Xiaohongshu.
Why Xiaohongshu?
Xiaohongshu, launched in 2013, offers an appealing mix of features for creators searching for a TikTok substitute. Its interface combines elements reminiscent of Pinterest and Instagram, and the platform integrates social shopping functionalities that are particularly attractive for younger audiences.
The app experienced a significant boost during the COVID-19 pandemic, gaining popularity among younger Chinese users. Today, it boasts an impressive 300 million monthly active users, with women accounting for 79% of its user base. Now, its appeal has crossed borders, making it the most downloaded app in the U.S.
Xiaohongshu’s viral trajectory and robust growth have also captured the attention of investors. The startup has raised approximately $917 million in venture funding, with high-profile backers including Tencent, Alibaba, ZhenFund, DST, and HongShan (formerly Sequoia China). Following a secondary share sale in 2024, the company was reportedly valued at $17 billion.
