Celebration as TikTok Restores U.S. Service to 170M Users After Trump’s Assurances

Triumphant Move: TikTok Restores U.S. Service to 170M Users After Trump’s Assurances

TikTok has begun restoring its service to millions of U.S. users following assurances from former President Donald Trump to the app’s service providers.

The platform, a hub for viral videos and content creation, had briefly gone offline on Saturday evening, sparking concerns about its future.

TikTok announced on Sunday that its operations in the U.S. are back online.

STATEMENT FROM TIKTOK:

In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170…

— TikTok Policy (@TikTokPolicy) January 19, 2025

This comes after Trump intervened, offering clarity and assurances to companies supporting the platform.

“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” the company posted on X.

“We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive.”

Trump’s Intervention

The platform’s restoration follows Trump’s statement on Truth Social, where he emphasized the importance of TikTok remaining accessible.

Trump expressed his intention to issue an executive order extending the time before restrictions on TikTok could be enforced.

“I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect so that we can make a deal to protect our national security,”

Trump stated. “The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order.”

Trump hinted that TikTok’s accessibility is crucial, particularly for broadcasting his planned inauguration activities on Monday.

Gradual Return to Service

By Sunday afternoon, TikTok users reported intermittent access to the platform through web browsers, followed by a gradual restoration of its app services.

A cheerful message greeted users, stating, “Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.! You can continue to create, share, and discover all the things you love on TikTok.”

Despite this progress, the app remains unavailable for download on Apple’s App Store and Google Play.

The recent events stem from a law enacted in April under President Joe Biden, which requires TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the platform to a non-Chinese entity to avoid a U.S. ban.

This law, upheld by the Supreme Court last week, initially placed TikTok’s operations in jeopardy.

In an unusual twist, Trump, who previously championed a TikTok ban during his first term, shifted his stance. He now advocates for the app’s survival, emphasizing its economic and cultural significance.

While Trump is working on a temporary solution, conflicting opinions within his party have emerged.

House Speaker Mike Johnson commented on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” saying, “I think we will enforce the law.”

He added, “When President Trump said, ‘Save TikTok,’ we interpreted it as a push for divestiture to comply with legal requirements.”

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Similarly, Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts opposed any extension, stating, “For TikTok to come back online, ByteDance must agree to a sale that severs all ties with Communist China.”

ByteDance’s Dilemma

ByteDance has consistently resisted calls to sell TikTok, complicating its path forward.

Under current laws, any foreign adversary, including ByteDance, cannot maintain more than a 20% ownership stake in TikTok if it operates within the U.S.

Trump’s proposed solution—a joint venture with 50% U.S. ownership—would also clash with these restrictions unless Congress modifies the law.

Despite these hurdles, TikTok remains optimistic about its future in the U.S.

“We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States,” the company reiterated in its latest statement.

TikTok’s uncertain future reflects broader tensions between the U.S. and China, particularly over data privacy and national security concerns.

While Trump’s intervention temporarily saves the app, it underscores the complex legal and political challenges ahead.

For now, TikTok enthusiasts can enjoy their favorite platform again, thanks to last-minute negotiations.

However, its long-term stability depends on ByteDance’s willingness to navigate the stringent requirements imposed by U.S. law.