TikTok Restores Service for U.S. Users Following Trump's Executive Order
TikTok resumed service for U.S. users on Sunday, just hours after the platform went dark due to a federal law that required its China-based parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations. This move followed President-elect Donald Trump's promise to issue an executive order on his first day in office to pause the federal ban.
Trump announced on Truth Social that the executive order would provide ByteDance additional time to secure an approved buyer for TikTok before the law's provisions took full effect. This announcement came after millions of U.S. users woke up to discover they could no longer access TikTok due to the ban.
During the fourth round of the Australian Open, tennis star Coco Gauff, after her comeback victory against Belinda Bencic, drew a broken heart on a camera lens with the message, “RIP TikTok USA” in reference to the app’s ban.
However, by Sunday afternoon, a new message appeared for TikTok users, thanking them for their support, along with a nod to Trump’s efforts: “Thanks to President Trump’s actions, TikTok is back in the U.S.!”
Background on TikTok's Temporary Shutdown
TikTok temporarily suspended its services late Saturday due to a U.S. law passed in April, requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok's U.S. operations by Sunday. Google and Apple removed the app from their digital stores as part of the law, which allows for heavy penalties for non-compliance.
While the app's shutdown sparked protests from users, analysts noted that it also served as a highly effective marketing move. "By abruptly pulling the service, TikTok demonstrated just how unpopular the ban was among its user base," said Jasmine Enberg, a market analyst with EMarketer.
The Law and Legal Implications
The law, enacted over national security concerns regarding TikTok’s ties to China, forced ByteDance to sever its U.S. operations. However, it also allowed the president to extend the deadline for up to 90 days if a viable sale was in progress. Despite several offers from investors, ByteDance maintained it would not sell. Trump’s executive order was intended to extend this window of time and clarify that there would be no penalties for companies helping prevent TikTok from shutting down.
The legal standing of Trump’s executive order remains uncertain, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the ban on Friday. However, some legal experts, such as University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias, believe Trump may be able to make a case that his actions apply to any president.
Political and Business Reactions
Senator Tom Cotton and other lawmakers who supported the ban warned companies against offering technical support to TikTok. Cotton also threatened significant liabilities for any company aiding TikTok under the current law.
Experts have questioned whether Trump has the legal authority to delay the ban, but Kirk McGill, a constitutional attorney, argued that this will likely play out as a political issue rather than a legal one in the short term.
TikTok’s Return and Future
After TikTok's return, content creator Tiffany Watson expressed hope that the platform would stay up. Despite this, Watson admitted that her commitment to TikTok had waned during the months leading up to the ban. “I hope creators succeed and find a community, regardless of TikTok's unpredictability,” she said.
The timing of Trump’s action reflects a mix of political maneuvering and the personal connections he has with TikTok. During his first term, Trump had issued executive orders targeting ByteDance and other Chinese companies over national security concerns, although those orders were blocked by courts. TikTok CEO Shou Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration, indicating a continued relationship.
Potential Buyers for TikTok
While ByteDance has insisted it will not sell TikTok, a proposal was submitted by AI startup Perplexity AI to merge its U.S. operations with TikTok’s business. However, Perplexity is not seeking to acquire TikTok’s user data algorithm, which has raised concerns in Washington due to its potential manipulation by Chinese authorities.
As the situation unfolds, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain, with Trump’s flip-flopping stance on the platform adding further complexity. It remains to be seen whether his stance will change again or if TikTok will find a way to operate without the looming threat of a ban.