Trump pauses TikTok ban for 75 days

MANILA, Philippines — In one of his first presidential actions, the newly-inaugurated US President Donald Trump issued an executive order to pause enforcement of a law banning TikTok in the US for 75 days. 

The previous administration enacted legislation prohibiting app updates and distribution due to worries about potential Chinese government influence and data security threats.

Trump, who credited TikTok with helping him connect with younger voters during his campaign, highlighted the need for time to work out a solution that balances national security with the app's popularity among 170 million Americans.

TikTok services were initially blocked as the ban went into effect but were restored on Sunday after Trump intervened. Major internet companies such as Apple, Google, and Oracle, which host TikTok's servers, were promised there would be no penalties during the halt.

The original regulation would have obliged app retailers to disable TikTok or risk high fines, which raised worries for both businesses and users. The new rule allows these companies to continue supporting TikTok while negotiations are underway.

The said 75-day reprieve gives the administration a key chance to address data security issues while taking into account the app's substantial cultural and economic role in the United States. Trump emphasized the need to achieve an agreement that preserves Americans' privacy but not alienating the platform's millions of users.