After being unavailable in the United States for approximately 14 hours, TikTok has come back online. The app, popular for its short-form videos, went offline Saturday night to comply with a law that effectively banned its operation unless ByteDance, its China-based parent company, divested its ownership. This decision followed the Supreme Court’s recent ruling upholding the law.
The ban had significant immediate effects. On Saturday, both Apple and Google removed TikTok from their app stores, in line with the law’s requirements. The legislation also prohibits web-hosting services from supporting the app, adding additional layers of enforcement. Hosting companies faced the risk of steep penalties if they continued to provide backend services for TikTok.
The Biden administration, nearing the end of its term, deferred the enforcement of the law to the incoming Trump administration. This ambiguity left hosting providers uncertain about their legal standing, leading to the app’s removal. Stiff financial penalties outlined in the law, which could potentially cost hosting companies billions, made them hesitant to act without clear assurances.
On Sunday morning, President-elect Donald Trump posted a statement on his Truth Social platform that reversed the course of events. Trump pledged to pause the enforcement of the ban, stating that his administration would offer liability protections to technology companies that facilitate TikTok’s operations while negotiations about its future continue.
Shortly after Trump’s announcement, companies including Oracle and Akamai, which provide web-hosting services for TikTok, restored the app and its website. According to sources familiar with the situation, Trump’s statement provided the legal and political assurances hosting companies needed to resume their services.
However, TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain. Despite the app’s return, Apple and Google have yet to reinstate TikTok on their app stores. This limitation prevents new users from downloading the app and stops essential updates from reaching existing users. Furthermore, TikTok’s multi-billion-dollar in-app economy remains at a standstill as users cannot purchase or sell items through the platform.
Legal experts suggest that Apple and Google are likely waiting for the Trump administration to follow through on the law’s stipulations. The legislation mandates that the White House must certify to Congress that a divestment deal is underway for TikTok to halt enforcement of the ban. Without this certification, Apple, Google, and other companies risk severe financial repercussions if they resume support for the app prematurely.
Adding to the legal complexities, some lawmakers have expressed doubts about Trump’s ability to pause the law’s implementation. Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, voiced concerns about Trump’s authority to intervene without adhering to the law’s explicit requirements. Cotton warned companies like Apple and Google about the potential consequences of assisting TikTok before a formal separation from ByteDance occurs. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he highlighted the potential for lawsuits, penalties, and regulatory action against those facilitating TikTok under its current ownership structure.
As debates continue in Washington, TikTok’s return represents a temporary reprieve for millions of U.S. users. Yet, the app’s long-term viability in the country depends on resolving the legal and political uncertainties surrounding its ownership and operations.
