SavingTikTokWhileProtectingNationalSecurity
ExecutiveOrder#14352
BACKGROUND
OnJanuary20,2025,PresidentTrumpsignedanexecutiveorder,Applicationofthe ProtectingAmericansfromForeignAdversaryControlledApplicationsActtoTikTok (the“Act”).
TheexecutiveorderisaresponsetoTheProtectingAmericansfromForeign AdversaryControlledApplicationsAct(the“Act”),abipartisanbillsignedby PresidentJoeBidenin2024.,prohibits“foreignadversarycontrolledapplications” (FACAs),whichincludemobileapps,websites,desktopapps,and augmented/immersivetech,ifcontrolledbyspecifiedadversaryactors.TheAct wasdesignedspecificallytotargettheChinabasedparentcompanyofTikTok, ByteDanceLtd.
TheexecutiveorderinstructedtheAttorneyGeneralnottoenforcetheActfora75dayperiodfromthedateoftheordertogivetheTrumpadministrationtimeto determinetheappropriatepathforwardwithrespecttothebanofTikTokinthe UnitedStates.
Asthe75-daymoratoriumdeadlineapproached,PresidentTrumpissuedanother executiveorderextendingtheTikTokenforcementdelayforanother75-days throughJune19,2025.TheTikTokenforcementhassincebeendelayedtwomore timesthroughDecember16,2025.
ThedelayedenforcementoftheActgivesBlackcreators,entrepreneursand educatorswhoheavilyuseTikTokforincome,culturalexpression,and community‑building,additionaltimetocontinueoperatingwithoutdisruption.Atthe sametime,theuncertaintyaroundapotentialbanraisesconcernsaboutlong‑term incomelossandvisibilityforthosesameBlackcommunities.
CURRENTLANDSCAPE
OnSeptember25,2025,PresidentTrumpissuedtheexecutiveorder,SavingTikTok WhileProtectingNationalSecurity.Theorderformallyrecognizesaproposed “qualifieddivestiture”ofTikTokundertheAct,meaningTikTok’sU.S.operationswillbe transferredtoanewU.S.-basedjoint‑venturecompany,majority‑ownedand controlledbyU.S.persons,withtheChineseparentcompanyByteDanceLtd.owning lessthan20%.
MajorU.S.businesses,includingOracle,SilverLake,andAbuDhabi’sMGX,aresaidto bethemaininvestors,controllingapproximately45%ofTikTokintheU.S.
Theordersetsstringentsafeguards:U.S.userdatamustbestoredina U.S.controlledcloud,algorithmsandcontentmoderationmustbeundertheU.S. board’scontrol,andtheDepartmentofJusticeisdirectedtosuspendenforcement oftheActfor120daystoallowthedivestituretobecompleted.