TikTok really ought to be history by now. The law banning it from appearing on app stores took effect on January 19 and it did shut down very briefly. But on inauguration day President Trump signed an executive order granting the company a 75-day extension, even though nothing in the law allows for that. USA Today describes the current situation as a “gray area” legally speaking.
Ben Sperry, senior scholar at the International Center for Law & Economics, said the executive order falls into a “gray area.” Under federal law, it remains illegal for U.S. companies, like internet hosting services and app stores, to maintain, distribute and update TikTok, as the platform remains owned by Chinese company ByteDance. However, Trump’s order invites companies to “break” this law, under the impression they will not face repercussions, Sperry said…
In short, Trump and…
