TikTok users in the United States received a reprieve Sunday when the platform announced it was restoring access just hours after going offline due to a federal ban. President-elect Donald Trump revealed plans to issue an executive order delaying the ban and granting TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, additional time to finalize the sale of its U.S. operations.
Trump shared the update on Truth Social, promising to extend the deadline before the law’s restrictions fully take effect. His announcement came after millions of TikTok users woke up to find the app inaccessible, marking a turbulent moment for one of the country’s most popular platforms.
The law, passed in April with bipartisan support, mandated that ByteDance divest TikTok’s U.S. operations by Sunday or face removal from app stores. In compliance, Google and Apple delisted TikTok and other ByteDance apps, such as Lemon8 and CapCut, late Saturday.
“Apple is obligated to follow the laws in the jurisdictions where it operates,” the company said in a statement.
While TikTok has been restored for existing users, it remains unavailable for new downloads. ByteDance attributed the return of service to Trump’s intervention, stating that his announcement provided “the necessary clarity and assurance” for service providers to resume operations.
The ban stemmed from national security concerns over TikTok’s Chinese ownership, with lawmakers arguing that the app’s data-sharing practices posed risks to U.S. users. The Supreme Court upheld the ban last week, citing these risks as outweighing concerns about free speech.
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The law permits the president to grant a 90-day extension if a sale is underway. Trump’s executive order aims to provide ByteDance additional time to negotiate a deal. However, critics like Senator Tom Cotton have warned of severe consequences for companies aiding TikTok.
“Any company supporting TikTok could face significant legal and financial repercussions,” Cotton said on X, referencing potential lawsuits and securities violations.
Despite ByteDance’s refusal to sell TikTok, reports suggest potential buyers are exploring creative solutions. AI startup Perplexity AI has proposed merging TikTok’s U.S. operations with its business, while billionaire investors, including Kevin O’Leary and Frank McCourt, have expressed interest.
The platform’s temporary shutdown was a stark reminder of its deep cultural impact. For creators like Tiffany Watson, 20, the experience was unsettling.
“The TikTok community is unique, and losing it felt surreal,” Watson shared. She plans to diversify her content by growing her presence on Instagram and YouTube, as uncertainty continues to loom over TikTok’s future.
Initially known for its lighthearted dance videos and music trends, TikTok has evolved into a hub for political discourse, educational content, and entertainment. Its cultural relevance has made it a lightning rod for debates over free speech, data security, and global influence.
TikTok CEO Shou Chew publicly thanked Trump for his support in a video posted Saturday, highlighting the platform’s entanglement in political discussions. Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration Monday, emphasizing the app’s ongoing significance in U.S. cultural and political spheres.
