TikTok is back online in the U.S. after a temporary shutdown left millions of users unable to access the app on Saturday.
TikTok said it was “in the process of restoring service” yesterday afternoon and credited President-elect Donald Trump for providing “clarity” that made the restoration possible.
TikTok’s partial return comes amid a chaotic backdrop of legal battles, political maneuvering, and ongoing concerns over national security. Despite the restoration, the app remains unavailable in Apple’s App Store and Google Play, complicating access for new users.
What happened over the weekend. TikTok shut down service for U.S. users late Saturday ahead of a federal ban going into effect. The app displayed a message that services were “temporarily unavailable.”
By yesterday at noon, TikTok began restoring functionality through its hosting and content delivery partners, Oracle and Akamai.
A pop-up in TikTok’s app now greets users with “Welcome back!” and attributes the restoration to Trump, stating, “As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!”
Why we care. Despite the uncertainty of there ever being ban, we can assume Trump’s effort will still be on the side of keeping TikTok active. This means for now, advertisers can maintain the strategies they were running before the weekend with continued access to the platforms 170 million U.S. users.
Behind the scenes. Trump announced he will issue an executive order on Monday extending TikTok’s sale deadline, promising “no liability” for companies supporting TikTok before the order takes effect.
Despite this assurance, Apple and Google have not reinstated TikTok in their app stores, citing legal risks tied to the ban’s enforcement.
Between the lines. TikTok is attempting to reassure advertisers, sending a memo stating that most U.S. users will regain access soon and ad campaigns will resume with limited functionality.
The Biden administration deferred immediate enforcement of the ban, leaving its implementation to Trump’s incoming presidency.
Yes, but. Pushback from Republican senators complicates the reprieve. Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts issued a statement calling the delay “legally baseless” and warning that tech companies aiding TikTok could face substantial fines.
What’s next. Trump has proposed a joint ownership model for TikTok, where U.S. stakeholders could hold a 50% share. ByteDance remains silent on whether it will agree to this arrangement.
Bottom line. TikTok’s future in the U.S. is far from certain. While the app is regaining some functionality, unresolved legal and political challenges loom large for ByteDance and its partners.