During a public event in Phoenix, Arizona, Donald Trump expressed considerations that have reignited interest in the future of TikTok, one of the most popular social media platforms in the world. During his speech, Trump said: “I'll have to start thinking about TikTok this weekend”, suggesting that the issue of the ban on the Chinese social platform in the USA could return to the center of the political agenda. He added in a lighter tone: “Maybe we need to keep that stuff around a little longer.” Already during its first term, the Trump administration had raised national security concerns in relation to the platform owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. At the time, TikTok had been the subject of potential restrictions and discussions about a possible sale to American companies to ensure the protection of US users' data.
Earlier this month, TikTok lost its appeal at the Washington appeals court against the law, signed last April by outgoing President Joe Biden, which provides for the platform to be banned in the United States unless the Chinese company that controls it, ByteDance, does not sell by January 19th. The appeals court therefore ruled in favor of the Department of Justice, therefore defining as constitutional the measure that recognizes the American government's authority to ban the popular social media for national security reasons, for fear that it could be used by the Chinese government to obtain data from Americans or influence public opinion. The deadline set, January 19, coincides with the eve of Donald Trump's inauguration in the White House.
The tone of Trump's recent statements suggests a less rigid attitude compared to positions adopted in the past, but does not entirely clarify what the future direction of policies towards the platform could be. The uncertainty around TikTok continues to raise questions about the balance between technological innovation, privacy protection and geopolitics. TikTok, for its part, remains a central player in the social media ecosystem, boasting millions of active users in the United States and globally. Despite the challenges, the platform has demonstrated remarkable adaptability, expanding its audience and introducing new features to consolidate its position in the market.
