TikTok Resumes Service in the US, Credits President-elect Trump
In a surprising turn of events, TikTok has resumed its services in the United States after a brief shutdown, with the company crediting President-elect Donald Trump for facilitating the restoration. The popular video-sharing platform had ceased operations due to an impending federal ban.
Service began to return around 12 PM ET on Sunday, with both the mobile app and web access becoming available. Users were greeted with a welcoming message that attributed the service’s return to Trump’s efforts.
The resumption comes as Trump plans to issue an executive order extending TikTok’s sale timeline. This order is expected to assure no liability for companies supporting TikTok before its implementation. In response, key service providers like Oracle and Akamai have resumed hosting services based on Trump’s promise.
Despite the service restoration, TikTok remains unavailable for download on Apple’s App Store and Google Play. Both platforms display messages explaining the app’s unavailability, as companies remain cautious about potential fines for violating the ban.
TikTok has informed advertisers about the service resumption, albeit with some limitations. Ad campaigns are set to resume for the majority of US users.
The recent developments follow a Supreme Court ruling that allowed the ban to take effect. The Biden administration had deferred enforcement to the next administration. Trump has declared his intention to extend the sale deadline and explore a potential joint venture.
However, the move faces opposition from Republican Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts, who have praised tech companies for complying with the ban and warned of severe fines for those aiding TikTok.
The status of other ByteDance apps, such as CapCut, remains unclear. TikTok and involved tech companies have yet to respond to requests for further comments.
In an official statement, TikTok acknowledged the role of service providers in restoring operations and expressed gratitude towards Trump for providing clarity and assurance. The company reaffirmed its commitment to working on a long-term solution to maintain its presence in the US market.