Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — TikTok announced it is restoring services for users in the United States after receiving assurances from President-elect Donald Trump. The short-video platform TikTok had been inaccessible since Saturday ahead the government scheduled ban on January 19, but is now gradually returning to operate.
“In agreements with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring services,” TikTok said on a statement, crediting Trump for his executive intervention to “save” the platform after it was banned by the U.S. government.
“We extend our gratitude to President Trump for providing clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will not face penalties for enabling TikTok access to over 170 million Americans and supporting more than 7 million small businesses,” the company said in a statement on January 19, as reported by CNN.
TikTok hailed Trump’s move stating that “We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps the app in the United States.”
Extension of TikTok Ban Deadline
President-elect Trump has signaled a likely 90-day extension to TikTok’s operational deadline in the United States. Speaking to NBC News on Sunday, Trump suggested that an official announcement on the issue would come on Monday, coinciding with his inauguration, or shortly thereafter.
“Well, as you know, I am the one making the decision here. Most likely, I’ll extend it for 90 days—you’re probably familiar with the 90-day extension. I’ll take that step until we find a solution,” he said.
Trump’s Planned Executive Order
According to CNN, Trump said he would issue an executive order immediately after his inauguration to extend the deadline for the ban.
“The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok operational before my order,” Trump wrote, emphasizing his commitment to safeguarding national security while avoiding disruption for users.
Trump floated the idea of a 50-50 joint venture between ByteDance and a U.S.-based company, framing the potential deal as a political victory for his administration, particularly among younger Americans.
“Americans deserve to see our exciting inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations,” Trump said, highlighting the app’s cultural relevance.
TikTok’s Shutdown
TikTok briefly went offline for U.S. users late Saturday night. When users attempted to access the app, they encountered a message stating it was unavailable due to a newly enacted ban. The app was also temporarily removed from the Apple and Google Play stores, along with other ByteDance-owned platforms like Lemon8 and CapCut.
By early Sunday, Trump’s statement about delaying the enforcement of the law brought swift action. TikTok’s app and website gradually became accessible again. “As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.,” the company assured users in a statement.
Future of TikTok
The executive order, while offering temporary relief, may face significant hurdles, including pushback from members of President Trump’s own party who oppose any delay in the ban. Even with Trump’s assurances to reverse the prohibition, an executive order alone cannot overturn a law passed by Congress and signed by the previous president.
According to CNN, two viable paths remain for TikTok’s long-term survival in the U.S.: passing new legislation to repeal the existing ban—a daunting challenge given the broad bipartisan support for the current law—or forcing a sale to a U.S.-based buyer deemed acceptable by regulators.
RedNote App Rises as Americans ‘TikTok Refugee’ of Potential Ban
However, ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, has consistently resisted the idea of selling. The app’s highly prized algorithm, which has captivated users and fueled its success, is the company’s crown jewel, making it nearly impossible to assign a value to this unparalleled asset.
The unfolding situation underscores the complexities of balancing national security concerns with the app’s immense popularity and cultural significance in the United States.
Trump’s assurance to delay the enforcement of the ban may buy TikTok some time to explore solutions for its continued operation in the U.S., but the app’s long-term fate remains uncertain.
(Raidi/Agung)
