It was quick. After going dark in the wee hours of Saturday in anticipation of the impending ban on January 19, TikTok seems to be back online in the US. Is TikTok still not allowed to operate in the US, and if so, why is it functioning again? Right now, this is all you need to know.
On Sunday afternoon, users with the app installed on their devices and web browsers were able to slowly regain access to TikTok's content, but it was still limited. Many people still can't access TikTok on the App Store or Google Play.
The country has been preparing for a TikTok ban, which became a reality on Friday when the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously upheld legislation forcing TikTok to either separate from its China-based parent firm, ByteDance, or be removed from U.S. app stores and hosting services starting Jan. 19.
In the days leading up to the ban, creators poured out their hearts on Saturday on TikTok, posting heartfelt goodbye videos, sharing secrets, and uploading nostalgic drafts. Then, when the app went black at 10:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 18, people flocked to sites like X and Instagram to vent their anger and outrage about the surprise early shutdown.
So, what’s happening now? Why is TikTok now back up and running? So far, this is all the information you require.
Why is TikTok currently operational?
TikTok is officially back in business in the U.S. after President-elect Donald Trump's promise to suspend the ban as soon as he takes office on Monday.
“Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support,” a pop-up message on TikTok reads. “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.”
The announcement came shortly after TikTok announced via a statement on X at 12:27 p.m. on Jan. 19 that it was actively working to restore service to its 170 million U.S. customers.
“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We applaud President Trump for giving the essential clarification and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties for offering TikTok to over 170 million Americans and supporting over 7 million small businesses to thrive,” the statement said.
The app continued, “It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will engage with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”
On Sunday morning, the app flashed a different message to U.S. users, indicating that they were “working to restore our service in the U.S. as soon as possible,” after shutting down in the U.S. the night prior.
Is Trump Going To Stop The TikTok Ban?
TikTok appears to be accessible again for U.S. customers after Trump issued assurances to the company’s service providers, including Apple and Google, who risk huge fines for each person installing the app during the ban.
Just hours before TikTok began resuming its service, Trump declared on Truth Social that he planned to issue an executive order on Monday to extend the deadline for ByteDance to sell the app.
“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. The order will also establish that there will be no culpability for any entity that helps keep TikTok from going black before my order,” he wrote.
In April, President Joe Biden signed a measure that forbids U.S. app shops from hosting TikTok unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, relinquishes ownership. However, the present president has the option to delay the prohibition for 90 days if specific conditions are met.
If Trump were to pause the law without providing actual evidence that ByteDance is divesting, the executive order may not be legally sound, “meaning it could be challenged in court and the ban could take effect anyway—or companies like Apple and Google could still take TikTok off their app stores regardless of what Trump says, in order to avoid any potential legal liability.”
Another possibility is for Trump to declare that TikTok conforms with the law, regardless of whether it has divested from ByteDance, University of Minnesota law professor Alan Rozenshtein stated.
About the Creator
Jason
Welcome to my corner of Vocal! I'm a passionate storyteller with a love for sharing ideas, insights, and creativity. Whether it's exploring thought-provoking topics, diving into personal experiences, or crafting fictional worlds.
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Comments (1)
Fascinating! Good work!