Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
Culture > News

The Current Status of the Tik Tok Ban

Updated Published
The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UC Riverside chapter.

On January 19, 2025, the TikTok ban was set to take effect. Congress had passed House Resolution H.R.7521 to ban TikTok due to national security concerns. TikTok, owned by ByteDance, is a Chinese company that poses a risk to American national security . To mitigate this risk, Congress proposed that TikTok be sold to a US-based company before the ban. Alternatively, TikTok would be banned in the US outright by January 19, 2025. However, before the ban could go into effect, then President-elect Trump intervened. He discussed with TikTok and later drafted an executive order allowing TikTok users to continue using the app for seventy-five more days rather than the ban taking place immediately. This move allowed users to continue using TikTok without fear of the ban. Trump’s proposal was to have American companies acquire a 50% stake in TikTok.

 While TikTok has been a source of entertainment, business growth, and communication for many users, the risks associated with owning it by a government agency, China, and Trump’s tech friends like Elon musk who are significant.

Trump’s actions raised concerns about the extent of his power. He has overstepped his authority by attempting to bypass Congress’s decision to ban TikTok. This move undermines the democratic process and raises questions about the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. Trump wasn’t even president at the time TikTok went dark and TikTok should technically still be banned because that’s a law Congress made. 
There’s a whole series of processes, and the Supreme Court of the United States upheld the H.R.7521 bill just days before. However, Trump comes in and says he’s extending their deadline, so those who still have the app can use it, however new users can’t get it from the App Store in America. America made a mistake electing Trump, and we’re all going to pay for the next four years. This decision also sparked debates over the future of the tech industry, the government’s role in regulating platforms, and whether U.S. leadership should prioritize political influence over national security. America made a mistake electing Trump, and we’re all going to pay for the next four years. We can hope that he gives up his presidency and doesn’t break any more laws or unwritten rules.

Lilianna Angel

UC Riverside '25

Lilianna Angel is a second-year student at UC Riverside, pursuing her BA in Political Science with a minor in Feminist Studies. She is passionate about civil rights, constitutional law, and advocating for vulnerable communities. Her academic focus and extracurricular involvement are paving the way for her to make an impact in the field of public law. Lilianna is a contributing writer for the Highlander newspaper, where she covers important policy issues. She is also an active volunteer with CALPIRG, advocating for environmental and social justice causes, and participates in UCR’s EXCEL+ Career Readiness and Leadership program, where she develops her leadership and networking skills. In her free time, Lilianna enjoys knitting, crocheting, and roller skating, finding balance between her passions for advocacy and creativity.