NAIROBI, Kenya- For a brief, unsettling moment, millions of TikTok users across the United States were cut off from their favorite app.
But by Sunday afternoon, the social media platform had returned, thanks to a last-minute intervention by President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to retake office on Monday.
The reversal was as dramatic as the app’s initial blackout, highlighting the contentious debate over TikTok’s future in America.
Over the weekend, TikTok went offline across the United States, leaving 170 million users in the dark.
The ban stemmed from legislation requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to sell its U.S. operations over national security concerns.
President-elect Trump quickly stepped in, promising an executive order to delay the ban and provide more time for negotiations.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump proposed a bold idea: a joint venture with 50pc U.S. ownership of TikTok, claiming it could turn the app into a trillion-dollar enterprise.
“We save TikTok, keep it in good hands,” Trump wrote. Hours later, TikTok announced it was restoring service, crediting Trump for the clarity needed to assure service providers they wouldn’t face penalties.
TikTok’s global appeal has always been double-edged. On one hand, it’s a cultural juggernaut, turning teenagers into celebrities and grandparents into viral stars.
On the other, its Chinese ownership has fueled fears of data misuse and disinformation.
The Biden administration previously declined to enforce the ban, leaving its implementation to Trump’s incoming team. Still, ByteDance has consistently refused to sell its U.S. operations, setting up a legal and political standoff.
Even internationally, TikTok faces scrutiny. Estonia’s foreign minister praised the U.S. ban and called for Europe to consider similar measures.
STATEMENT FROM TIKTOK: In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170…
While TikTok is back online, its future in the U.S. remains uncertain.
If enforced, app stores must block TikTok downloads or face fines of up to $5,000 per user. Oracle, which hosts TikTok’s servers, could also be required to enforce restrictions.
As Trump retakes office, the battle over TikTok is far from over. For now, users can breathe a sigh of relief, but whether this reprieve lasts will depend on the negotiations ahead.
