TikTok can continue to operate in US but may sell assets ─Regulator

*The decision of the Department of Commerce will allow TikTok to continue operating in the US, but it is yet unclear if its parent company will need to meet demands to sell off assets in the country

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

The US Department of Commerce has answered some of the questions regarding the fate of TikTok app, in view of how the officials representing social media platform TikTok have alleged that the Trump administration remained silent about its chance to operate within the country any longer.

The regulatory agency in a statement Thursday, November 12 however, announced that it would stand by a temporary injunction that would prevent TikTok from having to shut down its US-based operations.

The official statement came only hours before TikTok would have been forced to abide by an executive order the Trump administration issued late September 2020, says agency report.

The Department of Commerce said: “The Department is complying with the terms of [the injunction]. Accordingly, this serves as Notice that the [Commerce] Secretary’s prohibition of identified transactions pursuant to Executive Order 13942, related to TikTok, ‘has been enjoined’, and ‘will not go into effect’, pending further legal developments.”

Nevertheless, while the decision will allow TikTok to continue operating within the US, it is not yet clear if its parent company will need to meet demands to sell off assets in the country.

According to report, the Trump administration has stated that it opposes the app because it allegedly represents a threat to national security due to connections with the Chinese Government.