TikTok has returned to service in the United States following a dramatic 14-hour blackout triggered by a divest-or-ban law targeting its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. The app's restoration came after President-elect Donald Trump vowed on Sunday to halt enforcement of the law and shield tech companies from potential penalties, providing temporary relief for TikTok and its millions of U.S. users.
The app had gone offline late Saturday night after the Supreme Court upheld a law requiring ByteDance to divest from TikTok by January 19 or face a nationwide ban. Web hosting providers and app store operators, including Google and Apple, removed the app from their platforms in compliance with the ruling. However, Trump's intervention on Sunday prompted providers such as Oracle and Akamai to restore access, a decision that has sparked both relief and criticism.
Trump announced the move on his Truth Social platform, writing, "SAVE TIKTOK," followed by a pledge to issue an executive order extending the ban deadline and providing liability protections for companies supporting the app. "Americans deserve to see our exciting inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations," Trump said, signaling his administration's intent to pursue a resolution that keeps TikTok operational in the U.S.
TikTok expressed gratitude for the president-elect's actions. "We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties," the company said in a statement. ByteDance, however, remains under pressure to sell TikTok to a U.S.-based entity, with no immediate buyer in sight.
The divest-or-ban law, passed by Congress last year and upheld by the Supreme Court, requires ByteDance to sever its ownership of TikTok due to national security concerns over data collection practices and its potential ties to the Chinese government. The court agreed with Congress' findings, stating that TikTok's data collection poses a risk to U.S. users' privacy and could enable foreign surveillance.
Despite Trump's assurances, some tech companies have been hesitant to restore full support for TikTok. Apple and Google, whose app stores are critical for the app's functionality, have yet to reinstate it. Without their cooperation, new downloads remain impossible, and critical updates cannot be delivered. Legal scholars warn that even Trump's promises may not shield companies from potential penalties under the law.
Alan Rozenshtein, a professor at the University of Minnesota Law School, criticized the web providers that acted on Trump's post. "There's no assurance that Trump, who's not even the president yet, can provide," he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. The law imposes steep fines-up to $5,000 per user-for companies found to be in violation, which could amount to billions in potential penalties.
Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas echoed these concerns, warning companies against assisting TikTok. "Any company that hosts, distributes, services, or otherwise facilitates communist-controlled TikTok could face billions of dollars of ruinous liability," Cotton wrote on X. He emphasized that enforcement remains tied to the existing law, regardless of Trump's statements.
ByteDance has maintained that a sale is not feasible under current circumstances. During Supreme Court arguments earlier this month, TikTok's legal team argued that divestiture would require approval from the Chinese government, which has consistently opposed such a move. The platform also warned that separating TikTok from ByteDance would fundamentally alter its functionality, potentially leading to years of redevelopment.
TikTok's users were temporarily greeted with a message explaining the shutdown on Saturday night, but international users experienced no disruption. The app has over 170 million U.S. users and serves as a critical platform for content creators and businesses. TikTok's CEO, Shou Zi Chew, appeared optimistic about the app's future under the Trump administration, thanking the president-elect for his commitment to finding a solution.
Trump has a history of targeting TikTok. During his first term, he attempted to ban the app, citing similar national security concerns. His latest intervention reflects an effort to balance economic, political, and security considerations while retaining the platform's significant user base.
Even with Trump's promises, the legal and political landscape surrounding TikTok remains fraught with uncertainty. The law is still in effect, and enforcement actions could resume if ByteDance fails to divest. Furthermore, any companies supporting TikTok now could face retroactive penalties if Trump's executive order does not hold up to legal scrutiny.