President-elect Donald Trump has said that he "most likely" would give TikTok 90 more days to work out a deal that would allow the popular video-sharing platform to avoid a US ban.
In an NBC News interview, Trump said on Saturday that he hadn't made a decision yet but was considering giving TikTok a reprieve after his inauguration on Monday.
A law banning mobile app stores and internet hosting services from offering TikTok to US users will come into effect on Sunday.
The law, passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden last year, gave TikTok's China-based parent company nine months to sell its US operations to an approved buyer. It also permits the sitting President to extend the deadline if a sale is underway.
“I think that would be, certainly, an option that we look at. The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it's appropriate. You know, it's appropriate,” Trump told “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker in a phone interview.
“We have to look at it carefully. It's a very big situation. If I decide to do that, I'll probably announce it on Monday," he said.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said on Friday that the Biden administration would leave the implementation of the law to Trump, as his inauguration is the day after the ban takes effect.
In a statement later Friday, TikTok asked for "a definitive statement" saying the Biden administration would not enforce the law or try to fine app store operators like Apple and Google and other US companies if they don't stop making TikTok available on Sunday.
Without those assurances, TikTok said it "will be forced to go dark".
But the company did not provide details, including whether it would voluntarily shut down its US platform at midnight or suspend its operations after losing access to service providers it relies on.
The White House on Saturday called TikTok's statement "a stunt".
"We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday," Jean-Pierre said.
"We have laid out our position clearly and straightforwardly: actions to implement this law will fall to the next administration. So TikTok and other companies should take up any concerns with them."
Neither Apple, Google or Oracle, which hosts TikTok's data on its servers, have responded to questions about what they plan to do on Sunday.
Talks with farmers end on positive note; next meeting on March 19
The second round of meeting between a three-member Central government delegation, led by Union Minister for Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and protesting farmer unions ended here after three hours on Saturday night with a positive approach and cordial manner.
Assam Rifles seize gold valued at Rs 1.02cr, two youths held
In a significant crackdown on smuggling activities, Assam Rifles in collaboration with Customs officials on Saturday seized gold worth Rs 1.02 crore and arrested two persons in Tripura, officials said.
Over 60 crore pilgrims visit Maha Kumbh till Feb 22
Around 60 crore pilgrims have so far visited the Prayagraj to take the holy dip at Triveni Sangam while over 1.1 crore pilgrims took the dip on Saturday.
Trump administration’s information on USAID is ‘concerning’: EAM Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Saturday that the information given by the administration of US President Donald Trump regarding USAID is ‘concerning’
Former Tripura CM prefers ‘Namaste’ over ‘Red Salute’ in paying homage to late leaders
The 27th state conference of the party is especially crucial considering that from the event the new leadership in the form of the new state committee will be selected that will lead the party for the crucial state Assembly elections in 2026.
PM Modi to lay foundation stone of cancer hospital in MP tomorrow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will perform 'bhumi-pujan' of the Medical Science & Research Institute in the Chhatapur district of Madhya Pradesh on February 23.
Cooperative banks need to adopt new technologies for progress: Amit Shah
He said that the cooperative sector has taken major initiatives to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two resolutions comprising a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and to make the country’s economy $5 trillion by 2027.
Amit Shah distributes sanction letters to 20 lakh beneficiaries of PMAY
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday that by providing homes and toilets, Prime Minister Modi has safeguarded the dignity and self-respect of the poor.