TikTok is back online in the United States after a brief suspension, but its fate will depend on the actions of President-elect Donald Trump.
Access to the app was restored Sunday afternoon following a dramatic 14-hour shutdown. TikTok attributed the return to Trump’s commitment to delay law enforcement’s requirement that the app sever ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a nationwide ban.
“I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the compliance deadline, allowing more time to negotiate a solution that safeguards our national security,” Trump announced on his social media platform, Truth Social. He further reassured Apple, Google, and cloud provider Oracle that they would not face penalties for hosting the app in the interim.
In a statement, the app expressed gratitude for Trump’s intervention, saying, “We thank President Trump for providing the clarity needed to keep the app accessible in the U.S. We remain committed to working with him on a sustainable solution.”
Relief for Users, Challenges for ByteDance
The app’s return was a relief to its 170 million U.S. users. Influencer Shay Sullivan, who boasts over a million TikTok followers, described the emotional roller coaster: “I was devastated, thinking I’d lost an entire community and my livelihood. Now, I’m overjoyed.”
Despite the reprieve, TikTok’s future remains uncertain. In April, outgoing President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan law mandating that ByteDance sell TikTok to a U.S. or allied buyer due to concerns over national security and data privacy.
Trump suggested a potential solution involving a 50-50 joint venture between ByteDance and an American buyer. However, it is unclear whether this would satisfy lawmakers, particularly within Trump’s Republican Party, who view the app’s foreign ownership as a significant risk.
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A Tactical Shutdown
TikTok’s brief shutdown was a strategic move to pressure Trump to take swift action. While the law primarily targets service providers like Oracle and Apple, imposing fines of up to $5,000 per user if they continued supporting the app post-deadline, TikTok chose to go offline voluntarily.
The move underscored the stakes and highlighted the app’s reliance on Trump for a resolution. Late Saturday, the app displayed a message to U.S. users: “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated his willingness to work with us. Please stay tuned!”
CEO Shou Chew praised Trump, emphasising his understanding of the platform’s cultural and economic impact. Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration, signalling the company’s commitment to navigating this politically charged issue.
90-Day Extension in the Works
Trump confirmed plans to issue a 90-day extension on the ban, giving ByteDance additional time to negotiate a sale. However, this approach could face challenges from Congress and legal scrutiny. The law permits an extension only if active progress toward divestiture is demonstrated, and ByteDance has thus far resisted selling TikTok’s U.S. assets, notably its proprietary algorithm.
Potential buyers have emerged, including a consortium led by billionaire Frank McCourt, “Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary, and AI search engine PerplexityAI. While McCourt’s group is reportedly willing to purchase TikTok without its algorithm and rebuild the platform, replicating TikTok’s unique recommendation system has proven difficult for competitors.
Political and Legal Resistance
Key Republican lawmakers have criticised any move to delay the ban. Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts released a joint statement asserting that the law’s requirements are precise: TikTok must sever all ties to China to eliminate national security risks.
Cotton warned that companies aiding TikTok before Trump’s executive order could face severe financial and legal consequences.
Even briefly, ByteDance’s decision to shut down TikTok may signal a willingness to reconsider its options. While reports suggest interest from major players like Elon Musk, ByteDance has publicly dismissed these claims.
Uncertain Future
Ultimately, TikTok’s fate in the U.S. depends on whether a sale agreement can satisfy legal and political demands. Until then, the app’s long-term availability remains limbo, leaving its vast user base and the broader tech industry awaiting the next chapter in this high-stakes saga.