TikTok, the popular video-sharing app, is in the process of restoring service to millions of U.S. users following a brief blackout imposed in response to a federal law that threatens the platform with a permanent ban.
On Sunday, TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, announced that it was collaborating with major tech companies and service providers to reinstate access. The move comes after an agreement with these companies to aid TikTok in complying with the new law, which enforces hefty fines on entities failing to remove the app from digital stores.
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While some users have reported that TikTok’s functionality is returning, the app remains unavailable for download on Apple’s App Store, raising questions about whether full operations have resumed. TikTok’s website, however, appears to be functional, and the company has reassured users that they are actively working to address the issue.
The app was pulled from Google and Apple digital stores late Saturday night in compliance with the law, which mandates ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations or face an indefinite ban.
Trump Steps In to Grant TikTok Reprieve
As millions of American TikTok users woke up to find themselves locked out of the app, President-elect Donald Trump announced that he would issue an executive order to extend ByteDance’s deadline to divest its U.S. operations.
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Trump’s statement, made via Truth Social, indicated his desire to provide TikTok with a 90-day extension, allowing for further negotiations with potential buyers.
“Americans deserve to see our exciting inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations,” Trump wrote. “By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands, and allow it to stay up.”
The president-elect also hinted at a potential U.S. ownership stake in any prospective deal, though it remains unclear whether he referred to government involvement or an American corporate investment. “Without U.S. approval, there is no TikTok. With our approval, it is worth hundreds of billions of dollars – maybe trillions,” Trump added.
The abrupt suspension of TikTok’s services caught many users off guard. Upon opening the app, users were met with a pop-up message stating:
“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
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Despite the Supreme Court ruling that upheld the ban, many expected TikTok to continue operating for existing users, though the company opted to disable access earlier than anticipated, leading to widespread frustration and confusion among its 170 million American users.
Background and Legal Challenges
The new federal law, passed in April 2024 with strong bipartisan support and signed by President Joe Biden, mandates ByteDance to sell its U.S. operations over concerns regarding national security. Lawmakers argue that TikTok’s ties to the Chinese government could pose data privacy risks, with potential influence from Beijing.
TikTok and ByteDance challenged the law on First Amendment grounds, but the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously upheld the ban on Friday, citing national security interests as outweighing free speech considerations.
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Trump’s executive order offers a potential lifeline for the platform, but ByteDance’s response remains uncertain. The Chinese company has previously indicated that it has no intention to sell its U.S. operations, although investor interest continues to grow.
Among potential buyers, AI startup Perplexity and investor Kevin O’Leary, who recently proposed a $20 billion cash offer, are seen as leading contenders to acquire the platform.
While Trump’s administration signals a willingness to work with TikTok, the platform’s future remains in flux, contingent on whether ByteDance will agree to a sale that satisfies U.S. security requirements.
As the incoming administration prepares to take office, TikTok users and stakeholders alike remain on edge, awaiting further updates and a final resolution to the ongoing saga.
Stay tuned for more developments as this story unfolds.
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