It hasn’t even been a full day since ByteDance shut down TikTok in the United Statesand now it says the app will come back. In a statement released Sunday afternoon, TikTok wrote: “In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. »
The statement also thanked Trump, who will be sworn in Monday and who previously said he was considering granting TikTok an extension. amid reports from potential bidders (although ByteDance has expressed no interest in the sale). “We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States,” TikTok said.
As of this writing, the TikTok app is back up and running for me despite previously showing a message saying that I “can’t use TikTok at this time.” Phew, what anxiety — checks shows — 12 hours without it. However, TikTok doesn’t appear to be back in the App Store or Google Play Store yet, so if you deleted the app from your phone, you’ll probably have to wait a little longer to get it back. CapCut, one of other apps belonging to ByteDance affected by the banis also not available.
STATEMENT FROM TIKTOK:
In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring the service. We thank President Trump for providing necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will not be subject to sanctions for providing TikTok to more than 170 people…
– TikTok Policy (@TikTokPolicy) January 19, 2025
While the law banning TikTok was set to take effect today, January 19, the outgoing administration expressed that it would not enforce it in Biden’s final hours as president. MSNBC reported Saturday that White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called TikTok’s threat to shut down a “set-up,” saying that “we see no reason for TikTok or other companies to are taking action in the coming days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday. .” But TikTok argued that it could not stay online without assurances that service providers would not be punished.
Trump weighed in Sunday morning, writing on Truth Social: “I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay in the dark! I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the deadline before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so we can reach an agreement to protect our national security. The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order.
He also laid out a vague plan for how he envisions the future of TikTok in the United States. “I would like the United States to have a 50% stake in a joint venture. By doing this, we are saving TikTok, keeping it in good hands and allowing it to speak [sic] up. Without US approval, there is no Tik Tok. »
I sure hope you’re not already exhausted by the ridiculousness of this situation because, my friends, it’s not over.
