TikTok is resuming services to its 170 million users in US after President-elect Donald Trump said he would issue an executive order to give the app a reprieve when he takes office on Monday.
President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday clarified his stance on TikTok, stating in a Truth Social post that he wants to bring the app back online in the U.S. as soon as possible. This comes despite the absence of a deal for a U.S.-based company to acquire the app.
“I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Sunday. “I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal 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.”
The executive order would ensure that no company faces liability for keeping TikTok operational before his directive is issued.
Trump’s statement followed TikTok’s shutdown for U.S. users overnight due to a bipartisan law enforcing a ban on the app. The law, signed last year, required TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the platform to a U.S.-based company or face restrictions. Lawmakers cited concerns over privacy and national security as reasons for the ban.
The law permits the president to grant a one-time extension of up to 90 daysif significant progress toward a U.S. acquisition is demonstrated.
Defining a ‘Qualified Divestiture’
The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the law on Friday, leaving the definition of a “qualified divestiture” up to the president. In his latest post, Trump outlined his preferred terms, stating that he wants the U.S. to hold a 50% ownership stake in a joint venture to “save TikTok.”
It remains unclear whether Trump meant this stake should be owned by a U.S. company or by the U.S. government itself. The Trump transition team has yet to clarify this point. Meanwhile, ByteDance has not indicated any willingness to sell TikTok or provided a valuation for the platform.
Lawmakers Respond to Trump’s Statement
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La has suggested that Trump intends to push for a complete change in ownership before allowing TikTok to resume operations in the U.S.
Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., Trump’s incoming national security adviser, also spoke on the matter, saying that Trump is engaging with stakeholders to ensure TikTok’s return while working toward a deal that protects American data and prevents foreign interference.
“This is about giving tech companies, app stores, cloud providers, and others the confidence that we are working towards a solution,” Waltz explained. “We are actively working with these companies in real-time to bring TikTok back online while safeguarding national security.”
Apple Lists Removed ByteDance Apps
Apple has published a support document detailing all ByteDance-developed apps that are now inaccessible in the U.S. due to the federal TikTok ban. The company stated that it is “obligated to follow the laws in the jurisdictions where it operates.”
The affected apps include:
- TikTok
- TikTok Studio
- TikTok Shop Seller Center
- CapCut
- Lemon8
- Hypic
- Lark – Team Collaboration
- Lark – Rooms Display
- Lark Rooms Controller
- Gauth: AI Study Companion
- MARVEL SNAP
The Rise and Fall of TikTok in the U.S.
Starting in 2017, when the Chinese social video app merged with its competitor Musical. However, concerns over national security led to its eventual ban in the U.S.
On April 24, 2024, President Joe Biden signed legislation requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to sell its U.S. operations within a year or face a ban. ByteDance and TikTok sued the U.S. government, arguing the law violated the First Amendment and that security concerns were overblown. Despite their efforts, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the ban, leading to TikTok’s shutdown in the U.S. just hours before the law took effect.
TikTok’s Journey: From Startup to Global Sensation
- Founded in China by Zhang Yiming, ByteDance first gained success with Toutiao, a personalized news app.
- Alex Zhu launched Musical.ly, an app known for lip-sync videos, which topped the Apple App Store.
- ByteDance created Douyin for Chinese users and later introduced its international version, TikTok.
- In 2017, ByteDance acquired Musical.ly for $1 billion and merged it with TikTok, fueling its explosive growth.
The Controversies That Led to TikTok’s Downfall
Viral Fame:
TikTok’s algorithm drove engagement, popularizing trends like dance challenges and Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” which dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for 17 weeks.
Privacy Violations:
The app settled a $5.7 million lawsuit for violating U.S. child privacy laws.
Censorship Concerns:
Reports suggested TikTok suppressed content on politically sensitive topics, including Hong Kong protests and Tiananmen Square.
National Security Worries:
U.S. officials feared potential Chinese government influence over TikTok’s data, leading the Pentagon to advise military personnel to delete the app.
India’s Ban:
Amid border tensions with China, India banned TikTok and other Chinese apps.
Trump’s Attempted Ban:
President Donald Trump sought to force ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations, but deals with Microsoft, Oracle, and Walmart fell through.
Biden’s Legislative Action:
Initially pausing Trump’s efforts, Biden later signed a law requiring TikTok’s sale or ban.
The Final Showdown
Data Security Measures:
TikTok moved U.S. user data to Oracle servers but remained under scrutiny.
Congressional Hearings:
CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before Congress to defend the company’s operations.
Legal Battle:
TikTok and ByteDance sued the U.S. government, claiming the ban was unconstitutional.
Supreme Court Ruling:
The Court unanimously upheld the law, citing national security risks.
Final Shutdown:
On January 19, 2025, TikTok ceased operations in the U.S., disappearing from app stores and displaying a shutdown notice to users.
The Path Forward for TikTok
As discussions continue, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain. While Trump appears eager to keep the app available to Americans, lawmakers insist that any deal must ensure data protection and security.
