TikTok, the wildly popular short-form video app with over 170 million U.S. users, is once again staring down the barrel of a ban.
Its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, has until June 19 to either sell off TikTok’s U.S. operations or shut down the app entirely in the country.
The deadline comes as part of a broader effort by the U.S. government to address national security concerns tied to foreign-owned tech platforms.
This saga began months ago when President Donald Trump ordered ByteDance to divest from TikTok, citing national security risks over data privacy and Chinese government influence.
The original deadline passed in January, but Trump issued a 75-day extension to allow time for negotiations. When no progress materialized, a second executive order pushed the deadline again to June 19.
Speaking to reporters this week, Trump suggested another delay is likely, saying, “Probably, yeah,” when asked whether he’d grant ByteDance more time. He also hinted that China’s approval might be needed before any sale can move forward, adding another layer of diplomatic complexity.
No Deal, Just Deadlines
Despite months of pressure and political drama, ByteDance has yet to finalize a deal with a U.S. buyer. Multiple American tech companies have been in and out of the conversation, but concerns over valuation, user data, and control have stalled negotiations.
At the same time, critics argue that repeated extensions merely delay a long-term solution, leaving unresolved concerns about data control and the security of millions of American users’ information from potential foreign access.
If Trump doesn’t step in with another last-minute order, TikTok could be shut down in the U.S. as soon as Thursday night.
But if he does grant another extension, ByteDance may get another 75–90 days to try and secure a sale, but even that could be a temporary reprieve.
TikTok’s situation is just one flashpoint in the broader conflict over tech ownership, national security, and digital sovereignty.
As the U.S. ramps up pressure on Chinese tech companies, platforms like TikTok are likely to remain caught in the middle of ongoing political and regulatory battles.
