UNITED STATES: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering issuing an executive order after taking office on January 20 to delay the looming sell-or-ban deadline for TikTok in the United States, according to reports by the Washington Post. The deadline, imposed by a law passed in April, requires the Chinese-owned app to sell its U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban.

The executive order, as suggested by unnamed sources, would allow TikTok’s 170 million U.S. users to continue using the app temporarily while the government negotiates with potential buyers, as per reports.

The Sell-or-Ban Law

The legislation passed in April mandates that ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company in China, divest its U.S. assets if the app wants to keep operating in the country by January 19. TikTok has challenged this in court, arguing that the law infringes on First Amendment rights to free speech. While the Supreme Court hasn’t issued a final ruling, early indications suggest it may lean toward upholding the law.

It remains uncertain whether Trump can effectively block the law through an executive order. The Washington Post reported that Trump might sign an order granting TikTok a 60-to-90-day extension. However, Alan Rozenshtein, a law professor at the University of Minnesota, cautioned that while an executive order would signal Trump’s intentions, it wouldn’t necessarily stop the ban.

Concerns Over Security and Creator Impact

TikTok creators have expressed fears about losing their income as the deadline approaches. Meanwhile, government lawyers argue that the app’s ownership by a Chinese company poses risks, suggesting that the Chinese government could exploit TikTok to access Americans’ private data or influence their access to information.

"Trump could emerge as the hero in this situation," said Jennifer Grygiel, a Syracuse University communications professor specializing in social media.

Trump Team on Security and App Preservation

Mike Waltz, Florida Republican and incoming national security adviser, indicated on Fox News that the administration is working to address security concerns while keeping the app accessible. “TikTok is an incredible platform,” Waltz said. “We’ll find a way to safeguard user data while ensuring the app remains available.”

During her Senate confirmation hearing, attorney general nominee Pam Bondi was asked whether she would enforce the sell-or-ban law promptly. Bondi avoided discussing specific litigation but affirmed her general commitment to upholding U.S. laws against constitutional challenges.

What Happens if TikTok is Banned?

TikTok, which boasts 170 million U.S. users and over 1 billion globally, would be forced to halt operations if the ban takes effect on Sunday. The company is reportedly preparing to shut down its U.S. app in response.

However, the ban wouldn’t immediately strip Americans of access to TikTok. Instead, new downloads would be blocked from app stores, and updates would cease, potentially degrading the app’s usability over time.

James A. Lewis, a technology policy expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, suggested that Trump’s decision could hinge on political calculations. "He enjoys the drama and might intervene if it’s politically advantageous, but he’s unlikely to take major risks to save TikTok," Lewis said.