TikTok restored service across the United States on Sunday afternoon after briefly going dark due to a newly implemented law banning the app over national security concerns. The app credited President-elect Donald Trump for facilitating the reversal, just a day before his return to office.
The popular video-sharing app shut down late Saturday as ByteDance, its Chinese parent company, faced a deadline to sell its U.S. operations to non-Chinese buyers. Millions of users woke Sunday to find themselves unable to access TikTok, prompting outrage online and a flurry of political action.
Earlier in the day, Trump announced plans to issue an executive order delaying the ban to allow more time for negotiations. On his Truth Social platform, he called for the United States to take a 50% ownership stake in a joint venture with TikTok. “By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands, and unlock its full value,” Trump wrote, estimating the app’s potential worth in the trillions.
TikTok Responds
In a statement on X, TikTok confirmed that it was “in the process of restoring service” and thanked Trump for ensuring “clarity and assurance” to its U.S. service providers. However, the company did not address the president-elect’s call for partial American ownership.
The Biden administration, which had refused to enforce the ban before leaving office, left the matter to Trump. A provision in the law allows a 90-day delay if the White House can demonstrate progress toward a sale, though ByteDance has consistently rejected such proposals.
National Security Concerns
TikTok’s Chinese ownership has long fueled fears over data security and potential influence operations, both in the U.S. and abroad. The app has faced criticism for spreading disinformation and has been a target of bipartisan scrutiny. On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the ban pending a sale of the company’s U.S. operations.
The new legislation not only bans TikTok but also requires Apple, Google, and Oracle, which hosts TikTok’s U.S. servers, to enforce the restrictions. Companies face fines of up to $5,000 per user for violations.
Public Reaction
Social media exploded with reactions to TikTok’s temporary shutdown, ranging from memes mourning the app to renewed calls for stricter content moderation. American tennis star Coco Gauff even wrote “RIP TikTok USA” on a courtside camera during the Australian Open, telling reporters she hoped the app would return.
In Europe, Estonia’s foreign minister Margus Tsahkna praised the ban and urged European leaders to consider similar measures, citing concerns about disinformation.
Potential Resolutions
As TikTok scrambles for a long-term solution, a new proposal has emerged. The U.S.-based start-up Perplexity AI offered a merger with TikTok’s U.S. subsidiary, though details remain unclear. Meanwhile, billionaire Frank McCourt, former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has reportedly made a bid to purchase TikTok’s U.S. operations, with sources estimating the deal could cost upwards of $50 billion.
For now, TikTok’s millions of American users can breathe a sigh of relief — but the app’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain, as political, legal, and corporate battles continue to unfold.
