TikTok Restored Service in the US

TikTok resumed service after the social media platform stopped working for US users for a brief period over the weekend. Bytedance released a statement announcing it had struck an agreement to restore service and it thanked the new US President Donald Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to service providers that they will face no penalties.

With a law based on national security grounds taking effect on 19 January, TikTok stopped working on Saturday in the US. However, Trump then stated on his Truth social platform he would extend the time before the law’s prohibitions take effect. During the speech, Trump said he had no choice but to save TikTok, adding that he would seek to set up a joint venture for the US to take 50% ownership of the company.

Last April, US President Joe Biden signed legislation that required China-based ByteDance to sell off its US TikTok assets due to it being a national security risk. In December, an appeals court upheld the potential ban. While the Biden administration and members of Congress maintain TikTok poses a national security risk due to its Chinese ownership, creators of the popular social media app and TikTok stated in an appeal that the ban violates their right to free speech.

TikTok has become a political tool in the US as Donald Trump initially supported a ban in his first term of office. Trump however reversed course during last year’s election by joining TikTok. He credited the company for drawing male voters to his side in the November presidential election.