TikTok Ban Postponed Again: What's Behind the Latest Delay?

Daily Technology

·

18/12/2025

ADVERTISEMENT

The highly anticipated ban on TikTok, initially slated for December 16th, did not materialize, marking the fifth extension granted by President Trump. This repeated postponement stems from ongoing negotiations and complexities surrounding the sale of TikTok's US operations by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to a consortium of tech investors. The core issue remains US national security concerns regarding potential Chinese government access to user data.

Key Takeaways

The December 16th deadline for a TikTok ban was officially extended.
The new deadline is set for January 23, 2026, following a 120-day delay.
The delay is linked to the pending sale of TikTok's US business, which requires approval from Chinese authorities.
National security concerns about data access by the Chinese government are the primary driver behind the potential ban.

The Extended Timeline

For the fifth time since President Trump's second term began, the deadline for banning TikTok has been pushed back. The popular social media platform, owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance, faced a potential shutdown unless its US operations were sold. This latest extension, signed on September 25th, pushes the prohibition date to January 23, 2026.

ADVERTISEMENT

National Security and Ownership Concerns

The US government's apprehension centers on the potential for the Chinese government to access sensitive data from American users through ByteDance. This has led to the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which mandates the sale of the platform. However, ByteDance has yet to finalize the sale of TikTok's US business, a deal that reportedly involves a $14 billion transaction with a group of tech investors, including Oracle's CTO Larry Ellison. The approval of Chinese authorities is a critical hurdle for this transaction.

Geopolitical Bargaining Chip

Beyond data privacy, TikTok has become a point of contention in broader US-China relations. Beijing's reluctance to relinquish control of the app's powerful algorithm, coupled with ongoing trade restrictions, suggests that the platform may be serving as a bargaining chip in larger diplomatic discussions. The future of TikTok in the US remains uncertain, with the January 2026 deadline looming.

Recommend

Google's AI Translates Your Voice in Real-Time, Deepfaking Your Speech Across Languages

Google unveils a revolutionary real-time translation feature using AI to deepfake your voice, enhancing cross-lingual communication with impressive speed and accuracy.

ADVERTISEMENT

Top Mobile Tech Trends to Watch by 2025

Top Mobile Tech Trends to Watch by 2025

Ant Group Unveils R1 Humanoid Robot: A New Era of AI-Powered Assistance

Ant Group debuts its new humanoid robot, the R1, in Shanghai, featuring advanced cooking and caregiving capabilities. Discover the latest in AI-powered domestic assistance.

Apple Maps Poised for Ad Integration Next Year, Report Suggests

Apple Maps is reportedly set to introduce advertisements next year, allowing businesses to pay for promoted search results. Learn more about Apple's strategy and potential user reception.

ADVERTISEMENT

Google invests in its global model: building an artificial intelligence layer before Microsoft takes control of the user interface.

Google is showcasing its strategy for building a global artificial intelligence model during the I/O 2025 event, focusing on innovations and challenges in facing competition.

Toothaches? They may be due to a fish that is 500 million years old.

A new study shows that tooth pain may be linked to the development of teeth that dates back 500 million years. Research suggests that teeth originally evolved as sensory organs.

WIRobotics Unveils ALLEX: Humanoid Robot Mimics Human Responsiveness

Discover ALLEX, the new humanoid robot from WIRobotics, featuring human-like responsiveness, advanced force sensing, and a vision for everyday integration.

ADVERTISEMENT

NASA's ISS Replacement Plans Overhauled Amid Budget Cuts

NASA's plans to replace the International Space Station are being overhauled due to budget cuts, with reduced requirements for new commercial space stations.

stc pay Bahrain Honored with Prestigious Fintech Telecommunications Award

stc pay Bahrain has been awarded the Fintech – Telecommunications category at the Middle East Technology Excellence Awards 2025, recognizing its role in advancing Bahrain's digital financial landscape.

Revolutionizing Decarbonization: Carbon Clean's Modular CycloneCC Technology

Discover Carbon Clean's CycloneCC, a compact, modular carbon capture technology that slashes costs and deployment times, accelerating decarbonization for heavy industries in the Middle East and beyond.

ADVERTISEMENT