TikTok resumes services following President-elect’s intervention
In a positive turn of events, TikTok has started restoring its services on Sunday following the intervention of President-elect. The popular social media platform faced potential bans in the United States due to security concerns. However, with this recent development, users can once again enjoy the wide array of content and engage with their favorite creators on TikTok. This move brings relief to the millions of American users who have made TikTok an integral part of their daily lives.
He announced that he will restore the app’s access in the United States once he regains power on Monday.
“We must save it, there is no other option,”
During his inauguration on Sunday, President Biden announced that the United States will aim to collaborate on a joint venture to revive the popular short-video sharing app, which is currently utilized by 170 million Americans.
TikTok sent a message to its users just hours before the rally, stating that “Thanks to President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is now back in the U.S.”
TikTok responded to reports from U.S. users who claimed they could access the Chinese-owned platform’s website. Although the popular TikTok app started to come back online for some users, it only provided limited services. However, by Sunday evening, the app was no longer available for download on U.S. app stores.
TikTok expressed gratitude to Trump for providing the needed clarity and assurance to their service providers, stating that they are currently working on restoring service. The statement also highlighted the significant impact TikTok has had, enabling over 170 million Americans to access the platform and aiding the growth of more than 7 million small businesses.
TikTok expresses gratitude towards Trump publicly on the eve of his inauguration, marking a tense moment in their relationship.
President Trump has expressed his intention to impose tariffs on China, while also expressing his desire to establish more direct communication with China’s leader.
During a regular news briefing on Monday, China’s foreign ministry expressed its belief that companies should have the autonomy to make independent decisions regarding their operations and deals. This statement was made in response to inquiries about the restoration of the app and President Trump’s desire for a deal.
According to spokesperson Mao Ning from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, TikTok has been operating in the United States for a significant period of time and has garnered a strong following among American users. The ministry hopes that the United States will genuinely consider the rational perspective and create a business environment that is open, fair, just, and free from discrimination for companies operating in the country.
Late on Saturday, TikTok ceased to function for users in the United States, just before the implementation of a law that would lead to its shutdown.
On Sunday, the new regulations came into effect. American officials had expressed concerns about the potential misuse of Americans’ data under the Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
According to Trump, he plans to prolong the timeframe before the restrictions of the law come into effect. His objective is to negotiate an agreement that will safeguard the nation’s security.
“I believe that it would be in the best interest of the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture,” he expressed on his Truth Social platform.
According to Trump, the executive order will outline that companies will not be held liable for assisting in preventing TikTok from shutting down prior to his order.
In a previous statement, Trump expressed his intention to grant TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the ban.
In a notice posted to users on the app, TikTok made a promise.
Users of TikTok in the U.S. received a message notifying them that a law has been put in place to ban the popular app. This means that, unfortunately, they will not be able to use TikTok for the time being. However, there is some good news. President Trump has expressed his willingness to collaborate with us in finding a solution to reinstate TikTok once he assumes office. We urge users to stay tuned for further updates on this matter.
The app stores of Apple and Google were updated late on Saturday.
During his first term in office, Trump had taken a strong stance against TikTok, with the intention to ban the app due to concerns over the company’s alleged sharing of Americans’ personal information with the Chinese government. However, his views have since evolved, and he now expresses a favorable sentiment towards TikTok. In fact, Trump has even acknowledged the app’s role in helping him attract and secure the support of young voters in the 2024 presidential election, stating that he holds “a warm spot in my heart for TikTok.” This change in perspective signifies a significant shift in Trump’s position on the popular social media platform.
A woman in Washington, U.S. is seen posing with her smartphone displaying the TikTok page of @realdonaldtrump in this image taken on January 19, 2025. (Source: REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)
In August 2020, Trump signed an executive order, granting ByteDance a 90-day period to sell TikTok. However, instead of requiring a complete divestment, a deal was approved as a partnership, involving Oracle.
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Some members of the Republican Party, including Trump, were not in favor of finding ways to bypass the law and “Save TikTok”.
Republican senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts issued a joint statement, asserting that there is no legal justification for extending the effective date of the law now that it has taken effect. According to them, in order for TikTok to return online in the future, ByteDance must comply with the law’s qualified-divestiture requirements by completely severing all connections between TikTok and Communist China.
The United States has never taken the step to ban a major social media platform before. However, a new law recently passed by Congress grants the incoming Trump administration significant power to ban or potentially require the sale of other Chinese-owned apps.
As of late Saturday, other apps like CapCut, a video editing app, and Lemon8, a lifestyle social app, were also unavailable in U.S. app stores. Both of these apps are owned by ByteDance.
Apple and Google are two tech giants that have revolutionized the way we use technology in our daily lives. These companies have not only transformed the smartphone industry but have also made significant contributions to various other sectors. With their innovative products and services, Apple and Google have become household names and have shaped the digital landscape as we know it today.
The company did not provide an immediate response when asked for comment.
‘HAIR ON FIRE’ MOMENT
According to Google Trends, there was a significant increase in web searches for “VPN” immediately after U.S. users were unable to access TikTok.
Instagram users expressed concern about whether they would still receive the merchandise they had purchased on TikTok Shop, the e-commerce division of the video platform.
Marketing firms that heavily rely on TikTok have been facing a major setback due to the potential ban of the app in several countries. This has caused a significant disruption in their marketing strategies and campaigns, forcing them to seek alternative platforms to reach their target audience. The uncertainty surrounding the future of TikTok has created a sense of urgency among these firms to diversify their marketing efforts and explore new avenues for promotion.
In a moment of urgency, an executive described the situation as a “hair on fire” moment, despite the previous belief that a solution would eventually emerge to keep the app operational.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to attend the U.S. presidential inauguration and join a rally with Trump on Sunday, as per his plans.
According to Reuters, the statement was made.
Former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and other potential suitors have shown interest in acquiring the rapidly expanding company, which analysts estimate could have a value of up to $50 billion. There have also been reports suggesting that Beijing has engaged in discussions regarding the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations to a billionaire who is an ally of President Trump.
The company, however, has denied any involvement in the matter.
According to a source familiar with the matter, Perplexity AI, a search engine startup based in the United States, has made a bid to merge with TikTok U.S., owned by ByteDance.
Perplexity plans to merge with TikTok U.S. and establish a new entity by integrating the merged company with other partners, according to the source.
ByteDance, a privately held company, has institutional investors such as BlackRock and General Atlantic, who own about 60% of the company. The remaining 40% is owned by the founders and employees. With a workforce of over 7,000 employees in the U.S., ByteDance is a significant player in the industry.