TikTok resumes service in the US after Trump’s pledge

TikTok has resumed services to its 170 million US users after President-elect Donald Trump pledged to issue an executive order delaying the implementation of a law banning the app. On Saturday evening, the Chinese-owned platform ceased functioning for American users due to the law, which was designed to protect national security. However, Trump promised to extend the timeline for the law’s enforcement, allowing more time for negotiations. TikTok quickly responded, restoring service and thanking Trump for his efforts in a pop-up message.

In a statement, TikTok expressed appreciation for Trump’s “clarity and assurance” and committed to working with him on a long-term solution to keep the app in the US. TikTok CEO Shou Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday.

Trump posted on Truth Social, saying he would issue an executive order to extend the law’s prohibitions, giving time for a deal to be made. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, had previously ignored the law requiring it to sell its US operations, but the law was upheld by the Supreme Court and took effect on Sunday.

It is uncertain whether Trump has the legal authority to delay the law’s implementation, but it is expected that his administration will not enforce the ban if he issues an executive order. This marks a shift from Trump’s previous stance, as he had supported a TikTok ban but now claims a “warm spot” for the app due to the attention his campaign videos garnered there.

The Biden administration had signaled it would not enforce the law in its final hours in office, leaving the issue to the incoming Trump administration. TikTok had briefly pulled its services but restored them swiftly on Sunday.

The app, hugely popular in the US, has been an important tool for political campaigns, particularly to engage younger voters. Under the law passed last April, the US version of TikTok would have to be removed from app stores unless ByteDance sold its US operations.

The law was supported by both parties in Congress and upheld by the Supreme Court, but its enforcement has caused divisions within the Trump administration, as key figures like Marco Rubio have supported the ban. The situation highlights a rift on national security issues, with some Republicans opposing Trump’s actions.

While Trump has pushed for an executive order, legal experts suggest that the law could face challenges in court, and some states have filed lawsuits against TikTok. The legal status of TikTok’s availability through app stores like Google or Apple remains unclear, as those platforms had previously removed the app in anticipation of the ban.

Trump has suggested that his executive order will protect companies from liability, which could allow TikTok to return to app stores. However, legal experts caution that it’s unclear if the law’s conditions for postponing the ban have been met.