TikTok Ban in the U.S.: What We Know So Far (Updated June 2025)

TikTok, one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, is once again at the center of controversy in the United States. The app faces a potential nationwide ban due to national security concerns, but the timeline remains uncertain as legal and political developments continue to unfold. While the original ban was scheduled for January 19, 2025, multiple extensions have delayed any decisive action. As of now, the final deadline for TikTok to divest its U.S. operations is September 17, 2025.

In this post, we break down the key events and what the future might hold for TikTok users in the U.S.

📅 When is tiktok getting banned

🔹 January 2025 – The Original Ban Deadline

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, passed in early 2024, gave TikTok until January 19, 2025 to divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a full ban in the U.S.

🔹 April 2025 – First Extension

President Trump issued an executive order extending the deadline to April 4, 2025, citing ongoing negotiations with potential U.S.-based buyers.

🔹 June 2025 – Second Extension

A further 75-day extension pushed the deadline to June 17, 2025, allowing more time for a sale or restructuring deal to be finalized.

🔹 September 2025 – Current Deadline

As of June 2025, a third and possibly final extension gives TikTok until September 17, 2025 to complete the sale of its U.S. operations to a domestic company. If no deal is reached, the app could be banned entirely in the United States.

⚖️ Why Is TikTok at Risk of Being Banned?

U.S. lawmakers and intelligence officials have expressed longstanding concerns over TikTok’s ties to China through its parent company ByteDance. Critics argue the platform could pose a threat to national security by potentially allowing the Chinese government access to American user data—an allegation TikTok has repeatedly denied.

The U.S. government now demands that TikTok either sell its U.S. assets to an American company or be banned from operating in the country.

🚫 What Happens If TikTok Is Banned?

If the September 17 deadline passes without a sale, here’s what could happen:

• TikTok could be removed from app stores, preventing new downloads.
• Existing users might face limited functionality, data throttling, or complete inaccessibility.
• The ban could also set a precedent for how the U.S. handles other foreign-owned apps in the future.

🤔 What’s Next?

The situation remains fluid. While negotiations are reportedly ongoing, there’s no guarantee a deal will be finalized before the deadline. Even if a sale is announced, it will still need to clear regulatory approval in a politically charged environment.

📰 Recent Coverage

• Why has Trump postponed the TikTok ban? – BBC (June 19, 2025)
• Trump pushes back TikTok’s sell-by date for a third time – NPR (June 18, 2025)
• Restrictions on TikTok in the United States – Wikipedia

📌 Final Thoughts

As we approach the September 17, 2025 deadline, all eyes are on TikTok, the White House, and potential buyers. Whether the platform survives in the U.S. will depend on complex political, legal, and business decisions in the weeks to come.

Stay tuned for updates, and if you’re a TikTok creator or business owner, it may be wise to start exploring alternative platforms—just in case.