19 January 2025 , 18:05
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TikTok has been given a lifeline after Donald Trump announced he’d delay a ban on his first day in office – but there’s a catch.
Social media users woke up on Sunday to find a pop-up message in place of their usual For You Page videos.
It said: ‘A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US. Unfortunately that means you can’t use TikTok for now.’
Lawmakers had given China-based owner ByteDance until today to sell the social media platform or be outlawed.
It was feared users’ data could be handed over to Chinese intelligence agencies, who may use TikTok for influence and misinformation campaigns.
But January 19 arrived, TikTok’s Supreme Court challenge had failed, and there was still no buyer, so it was banned.
Now Donald Trump, who is due to be inaugurated for a second term as US President today, has set out a plan for TikTok’s return.
On his own social media platform Truth Social, he said: ‘I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark!
‘I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security.
‘The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order.
‘Americans deserve to see our exciting Inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations.
‘I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture.
‘By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to say up. Without U.S. approval, there is no Tik Tok.
‘With our approval, it is worth hundreds of billions of dollars – maybe trillions.
‘Therefore, my initial thought is a joint venture between the current owners and/or new owners whereby the U.S. gets a 50% ownership in a joint venture set up between the U.S. and whichever purchase we so choose.’