The popular video-sharing app TikTok, used by over 170 million Americans, went dark over the weekend briefly before bouncing back to life.
"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 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive," the company said in a statement. "It's a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States."
In a pop-up message visible to users upon reopening the app on Sunday, TikTok again credited President-elect Donald Trump for the app's return.
This comes as President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to issue an executive order delaying a federal law mandating TikTok’s shutdown due to its Chinese ownership.
The federal law, passed with bipartisan support in April, targeted ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, demanding a sale of its US operations. Google and Apple complied, removing the app from their stores.
Trump’s proposed delay would grant ByteDance a 90-day extension, allowing the company time to secure an acceptable buyer.
TikTok ban: A new twist
TikTok’s sudden shutdown left users puzzled. “Stay tuned,” read the app’s message during the blackout, while users turned to other platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. ByteDance quickly reassured the public, stating Trump’s announcement provided “clarity and assurance” for service restoration.
However, despite the app’s partial revival, Apple and Google’s stores continued to block new downloads. Oracle, which hosts TikTok’s US data, remains under legal obligation to enforce the ban unless the executive order takes effect.
National Security concerns
The US government has cited TikTok as a potential threat, alleging that its algorithm and extensive user data could be exploited by Chinese authorities. While no public evidence has been presented to support these claims, the fear of foreign influence has driven legislative and judicial actions against the app.
Outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration defended the law in court, emphasising the risks of data access and algorithm manipulation. ByteDance has consistently denied these allegations and resisted calls to divest its US operations.
What's next for TikTok?
As Trump prepares to take office, discussions around potential buyers have intensified. Reports suggest that AI startup Perplexity AI and a consortium led by Kevin O’Leary have made bids. However, ByteDance’s reluctance to sell complicates matters.
Meanwhile, other Chinese apps like Xiaohongshu are gaining traction, with the latter becoming the most downloaded app in Apple’s US store last week.
With Trump’s executive order potentially facing legal challenges and rivals ready to capitalise on TikTok’s troubles, the app’s fate remains precarious. However, for now, millions of users are breathing a sigh of relief as their beloved platform flickers back to life.