TikTok has restored access to its 170 million users in the United States following a commitment from President-elect Donald Trump to delay a ban on the popular app. Trump, who takes office today, January 20, announced plans to issue an executive order granting the app a temporary reprieve.
The Chinese-owned platform had gone dark on Saturday evening, January 18, after a law banning TikTok on national security grounds came into effect. However, Trump intervened on Sunday, pledging to extend the timeline for compliance and allow negotiations for a long-term solution.
Shortly after Trump’s announcement, TikTok resumed operations in the U.S., accompanied by a message thanking the president-elect. In a statement, the company expressed gratitude to Trump for “providing the necessary clarity and assurance” and confirmed its commitment to working with his administration to ensure the app’s future in the country.
“We are in the process of restoring service,” TikTok said, as users began to regain access to the app.
Posting on Truth Social, the social media platform he owns, Trump urged businesses to keep TikTok operational:
“I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark!
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.”
TikTok’s parent company, Bytedance, has faced mounting scrutiny in the U.S., with lawmakers citing national security concerns over the app’s ties to China. A previous law requiring Bytedance to sell its U.S. operations was upheld by the Supreme Court on Friday, January 17, and officially went into effect two days later.
It remains unclear what legal authority Trump will have to delay enforcement of a law already in effect.
