tiktok ban

As of April 8, 2025, the TikTok ban in the US has been delayed by another 75-day extension. This requires ByteDance, TikTok's owner, to sell its US operations within that period to avoid a nationwide ban. A previous 75-day extension was set to expire on April 5, 2025. The US administration is actively seeking an American buyer, but any deal requires approval from Chinese regulators.

Under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, companies like Apple and Google could face civil penalties of $5,000 per user for aiding TikTok if a sale of its US business does not progress. With an estimated 170 million US users, this exposes the tech giants to potential liabilities reaching $850 billion. The Department of Justice has offered temporary assurances against immediate enforcement, but the legal risk remains.

Several countries have banned TikTok on government-issued devices due to data security concerns. This includes Australia (as of April 2023), France (March 2023), the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, and the United States. France's ban also included apps like Candy Crush, Netflix, and Twitter on official devices. These bans are typically based on fears that user data could be accessed by the Chinese government.