Washington, Jan 20 (FN Agency) Donald Trump pledged on Sunday to issue an executive order to extend the period of time before TikTok ban takes effect after his US presidential inauguration on January 20. The US Supreme Court voted unanimously on Friday to uphold a law banning the Chinese-owned video sharing app on national security grounds. TikTok stopped opening for users in the United States and disappeared from US Apple and Google app stores on Sunday. “I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security,” Trump said. Trump also called on US companies “not to let TikTok stay dark” before his order is issued.
Trump suggested that a joint venture could run the popular app, with the United States holding a 50% stake and the rest being controlled by the current or new owners. “I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture. By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to say up. Without US approval, there is no TikTok. With our approval, it is worth hundreds of billions of dollars — maybe trillions,” he estimated. TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. The social network has been under intense scrutiny by US authorities, who fear that the Chinese government could demand user data or use the app to spread propaganda. The company that owns TikTok has repeatedly expressed disagreement with these concerns. TikTok has about 170 million users in the US.