TikTok is back online for U.S. users after a brief shutdown, less than a day after its parent company, ByteDance, was forced to halt operations due to a federal ban.
The restoration follows assurances from incoming President Donald Trump, paving the way for the app to return to its 170 million American users.
In a statement, TikTok confirmed the reinstatement of its services, saying, “In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties for continuing to provide TikTok in the U.S.”
President Trump also addressed the future of TikTok, emphasizing the need for greater U.S. ownership. “I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture. By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands, and allow it to stay up. Without U.S. approval, there is no TikTok. With our approval, it is worth hundreds of billions—maybe trillions,” said Trump in a statement, outlining his vision for a long-term solution.
The brief ban stemmed from a law signed by President Biden in April 2024, which demanded ByteDance divest ownership of TikTok to a U.S.-approved buyer due to concerns over national security. Lawmakers argued that ByteDance, as a China-based company, could be compelled by the Chinese government to manipulate content or access user data. With no deal reached by the 19 January deadline, the app was temporarily taken offline, with users greeted by a message saying, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now.”
The app’s brief removal had significant implications, particularly for creators and businesses that depend on TikTok for income. The shutdown threatened the livelihood of many influencers, small business owners, and artists who leveraged the platform’s reach to grow their brands and audiences.
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