On January 15, U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, recently appointed by President-elect Donald Trump, highlighted TikTok’s value as a platform while emphasizing the critical need to protect user data. In a media interview, Waltz stated, "TikTok is a great platform, and we must find ways to retain its benefits while safeguarding user privacy and national security."
This comes amid speculation that Trump may sign an executive order to lift the nationwide ban on TikTok, which the Biden administration implemented. If signed, the order is expected to take effect on January 19, 2025, allowing the app to resume operations in the U.S. market under new terms to address security concerns.