TikTok Restored in U.S. After Brief Shutdown Amid Legal Battle

WASHINGTON, D.C. — TikTok resumed operations in the United States on Sunday after a brief shutdown, following the enforcement of a federal law banning the popular video-sharing app unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells its U.S. operations by January 19. The app was temporarily inaccessible to millions of users on Saturday night, displaying a message citing the new law as the reason for the disruption.

The shutdown came after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law on Friday, which requires ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations or face a permanent ban. President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to issue an executive order on his first day in office to grant TikTok a 90-day extension, allowing more time for ByteDance to find a buyer. “The 90-day extension is something that will likely be done because it’s appropriate,” Trump told NBC News on Saturday.

TikTok attributed its decision to restore service to Trump’s assurance that the company would not face penalties for continuing operations. “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated he will work with us on a solution to restore TikTok once he takes office,” the company stated in a message to users. The app was also removed from Apple and Google‘s app stores in compliance with the law, though some users reported regaining access to the platform on Sunday.

The law, passed in April with bipartisan support, stems from national security concerns over TikTok’s ties to China. ByteDance has resisted selling the app, arguing that the law violates the free speech rights of its 170 million U.S. users. The Supreme Court ruled that the security risks outweighed these concerns.

Content creators expressed dismay over the potential loss of the platform. Nicole Bloomgarden, a TikTok creator, told the BBC that the ban would result in a significant pay cut for her. Erika Thompson, another user, highlighted the educational content on TikTok as a major loss for the community.

Trump’s intervention reflects the complex political dynamics surrounding TikTok, which gained popularity through viral dance and music videos. During his first term, Trump attempted to ban TikTok and WeChat through executive orders, but courts blocked the measures. Despite his initial opposition to the recent legislation, Trump has since acknowledged TikTok’s role in engaging younger voters.

The Biden administration emphasized that it would not enforce the ban before Trump’s inauguration on Monday. Meanwhile, potential buyers, including investor Kevin O'Leary and former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations. However, ByteDance has publicly stated it will not sell the platform.

As the legal and political battle continues, TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain. The app’s algorithm, which tailors content to user preferences, has been a focal point of national security concerns, though no public evidence has been provided to substantiate claims of data sharing with Chinese authorities.