Trump’s 75-day extension of TikTok ban falls into ‘gray area,’ experts say. What to know
ICLE senior scholar for innovation policy, Ben Sperry, shared legal perspective in this USA Today story on the looming US TikTok ban. Read the full story here.
Trump issued an executive order on Jan. 20 to extend the ban on TikTok, implemented by former President Joe Biden last year. The order granted a 75-day extension, which Trump said will allow him to consult with his advisors and heads of “relevant” departments and agencies to address national security concerns posed by TikTok.
Ben Sperry, senior scholar at the International Center for Law & Economics, said the executive order falls into a “gray area.” Under federal law, it remains illegal for U.S. companies, like internet hosting services and app stores, to maintain, distribute and update TikTok, as the platform remains owned by Chinese company ByteDance. However, Trump’s order invites companies to “break” this law, under the impression they will not face repercussions, Sperry said.