Trump extends deadline for TikTok: future of the app is in danger!

Trump extends deadline for TikTok: future of the app is in danger!

The current TikTok debate is getting more exciting than ever. On June 20, 2025, the Deutschlandfunk reports that the U.S. government's deadline for owner ByteDance to sell TikTok has long passed. According to the law, the sale would have been necessary by January 19, 2023, otherwise the app would have to be taken offline in the USA. But when he took office, President Donald Trump granted an additional 75 days, targeting April 2023.

As negotiations over a potential sale stall, the issue of TikTok's algorithm is becoming a key point of contention. This algorithm, which decides which videos are shown to users, is considered to be at the heart of TikTok's success and is considered "national intellectual property" by China. This means that a sale is excluded. This also sheds light on it Mirror.

The conflict over the algorithm

The concerns about TikTok's algorithm are not unfounded. Critics fear that the Chinese government could use this to influence public opinion in the USA. The law stipulates that neither the Chinese government nor ByteDance can have control over the algorithm, but the difficulties in sales negotiations only partially illuminate the situation.

One of the biggest hurdles to a possible sale is the Chinese government's desire for approval for the sale of software algorithms abroad. A US investor, Frank McCourt, has already thought about what a US TikTok based on American technology could look like. This would give users the opportunity to customize their algorithm themselves. At the same time, the discussion about ByteDance's *Project Texas* plan, which is intended to store US users' data in the USA, has gained momentum.

What solution lies ahead?

The situation is complex: While the TikTok owner hopes that the *Project Texas* proposal will be accepted, the exact roadmap is unclear. US Vice President J.D. Vance has emphasized that a fundamental solution for TikTok in the USA should be found by the beginning of April. This could potentially offer a way out of this messy situation. However, those involved are aware that TikTok can only continue to exist if the challenges are overcome in a timely manner. The previous administration had deemed the plan insufficiently secure because ByteDance's ownership was not in question.

The uncertainty is also evident in Europe: TikTok is planning to use a similar pattern to store data with *Project Clover* in Ireland. But the entire situation surrounding TikTok remains opaque and the urgency to find a solution increases with each passing day.

The current discussion is dominated by growing geopolitical tensions between the USA and China, and how this affects the digital space is reflected in the ongoing uncertainty surrounding applications such as TikTok. The development remains exciting in any case and we are excited to see how the situation continues! Further details on this topic can also be found at Southeastern Switzerland.