TikTok users across the United States breathed a sigh of relief on Sunday when US president Donald Trump pledged he would issue an executive order to allow the app to continue operating.
The Chinese-owned video app temporarily went dark late on Saturday in advance of a deadline to divest its Chinese shareholders or face a ban. However, the app restored services on Sunday after Mr Trump said he would give the app, which is used by 170 million Americans, additional time to find a buyer before facing total shutdown.
In 2020, Mr Trump tried to ban the app over concerns it was sharing Americans’ personal information with the Chinese government. So, why has he taken this U-turn and decided to support the app? And what implications does the US ban have on Irish users?
Meanwhile, a day before taking office, the 78 year-old has launched his own crypto project, a memecoin called $Trump.
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Today, on In the News, the clock’s still ticking for TikTok – why could a US ban affect Irish users?
Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Aideen Finnegan.
