TikTok has resumed access for users in the United States after a brief shutdown on Sunday, thanks in part to a promise from President Donald Trump to delay the enforcement of a law requiring the app’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations.
Influencers welcomed the app’s return. However, the platform’s future remains uncertain, as bringing the app back for good may not be straightforward.
Despite the Biden administration indicating it would leave the enforcement to Trump after he took office, TikTok decided to go dark on Sunday to apply pressure for a quick resolution. In a farewell message to users, TikTok expressed hope that Trump would help reinstate the app.
Trump took to Truth Social on Sunday, saying: “I will issue an executive order on Monday 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.”
Upon restoring access, TikTok thanked Trump, crediting him for the app’s return to the U.S and enabling tech partners like Apple and Google to continue supporting the app without facing penalties.
Not all members of Trump’s incoming administration are in favor of the extension, with several indicating that they will resist an extension of the law.
In a joint statement, Senators Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Pete Ricketts of Nebraska said: “ByteDance must agree to a sale that satisfies the law’s qualified-divestiture requirements by severing all ties between TikTok and Communist China. Only then will Americans be protected from the grave threat posed to their privacy and security by a communist-controlled TikTok.”
Trump proposed a 50-50 joint venture with an American buyer to secure the platform. However, it’s uncertain if this would satisfy lawmakers worried about foreign ownership of the platform.
By CEO NA Editorial Staff
