TikTok Restores Service Amid Looming Ban, Thanks to Trump’s Intervention

TikTok has announced the restoration of its services to U.S. users after a brief suspension due to a looming ban under a law signed by President Biden.

The company credited President-elect Donald Trump for providing necessary assurances to service providers, ensuring they wouldn’t face penalties for keeping TikTok operational.

In a statement on X, TikTok described this as a “strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship,” expressing gratitude to Trump for his support.

TikTok Restores Service Amid Looming Ban, Thanks to Trump’s Intervention

The ban, which required TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations by January 19, 2025, was set to take effect on Sunday.

However, Trump plans to issue an executive order on Monday granting a 90-day extension to negotiate a resolution.

This move aims to provide a reprieve for the platform’s over 170 million U.S. users and 7 million small businesses that rely on TikTok for income and marketing.

Despite this temporary relief, TikTok’s app remains unavailable on major platforms like Apple and Google app stores, and its long-term future in the U.S. remains uncertain.

ByteDance has resisted selling the platform, complicating compliance with the law.

Trump has proposed a potential joint venture where the U.S. would own 50% of TikTok, but existing legal restrictions on foreign ownership may require Congress to amend the law to facilitate such a deal

TikTok reaffirmed its commitment to working with the incoming administration on a lasting solution to remain in the U.S., but the situation highlights ongoing tensions over national security and censorship in the digital age.

While the platform’s restoration offers temporary relief, its long-term future in the country remains uncertain, leaving creators and small businesses anxiously awaiting further developments.

TikTok Restores Service Amid Looming Ban, Thanks to Trump’s Intervention