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TikTok announced on Sunday, January 19, 2025, that it is restoring service to U.S. users following a brief shutdown and intervention from President-elect Donald Trump. The social media platform, which went dark Saturday night, faced an imminent ban under legislation signed by President Biden in April 2024.
"In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service," the company stated, expressing gratitude to Trump for providing "necessary clarity and assurance" to their service providers. The platform, serving over 170 million Americans and supporting 7 million small businesses, had temporarily suspended operations as the ban's deadline approached.
Trump's intervention came through a Truth Social post, where he announced plans to issue an executive order on Monday extending the implementation period. "I will issue an executive order 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," Trump declared, specifically emphasizing his desire for Americans to view his upcoming inauguration.
The president-elect's supportive stance toward TikTok marks a significant shift from his previous position. During his first term, Trump had issued an executive order in August 2020 calling for "aggressive action" against TikTok's owners to protect national security. However, his recent support appears linked to electoral considerations, as he noted in December: "I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok because I won youth by 34 points."
The Biden administration's decision to defer enforcement to the incoming Trump administration added another layer of complexity to the situation. The law, requiring Chinese owner ByteDance to sell TikTok to a non-Chinese buyer, allows for a 90-day extension if certain criteria are met.
As service restoration begins, TikTok emphasized its commitment to finding a "long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States," framing the development as "a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship." The platform's future now hinges on negotiations and potential policy shifts under the incoming administration, marking a critical juncture in the ongoing debate over social media regulation and national security concerns.
