TikTok restores service in US after Trump pledge

TikTok has resumed services for its 170 million U.S. users following a brief suspension caused by the implementation of a law banning the Chinese-owned app on national security grounds. The suspension came after a law, passed by the U.S. government, came into effect and required TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations. However, President-elect Donald Trump intervened, promising to issue an executive order to delay the ban and allow time for a resolution. TikTok quickly restored service after Trump’s pledge, thanking him in a popup message to users and expressing its commitment to working with him on a long-term solution.

The law, upheld by the Supreme Court on Friday, mandates that ByteDance sell TikTok’s U.S. operations or face a ban on the app. The law, passed with bipartisan support, requires that TikTok be removed from app stores and web hosting services if its parent company does not comply. Despite this, TikTok maintained that the law violated free speech protections and argued that the U.S. government could not enforce such an order. The app’s suspension on Saturday, only for service to resume shortly after, caught many by surprise. TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, was scheduled to attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday, and the app expressed gratitude toward the president-elect for giving them hope that a resolution could be reached.

Trump, who previously supported a ban on TikTok, had also expressed admiration for the app’s viral success, particularly during his presidential campaign. In a post on Truth Social, a platform he owns, Trump stated he would take executive action to extend the period before the law’s prohibitions take effect, giving more time to reach a deal to protect national security. He also emphasized that companies should refrain from making TikTok unavailable and assured them that no liability would fall on them if they continued providing the service.

The situation presents a significant legal question: Can Trump’s executive order override an existing law, especially after it has already been upheld by the courts? While his intervention could provide temporary relief, legal experts remain uncertain about how the issue will unfold. University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias noted that while there is a provision allowing the president to delay the ban for up to 90 days if substantial progress is made in addressing national security concerns, it’s unclear if TikTok has met those conditions.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton, a Republican, criticized the move and warned that companies that continue to host or distribute TikTok could face severe legal consequences. Cotton’s comments reflect the division within the Republican Party over how to handle the app. While some, like Senator Marco Rubio, have vocally supported the ban, others, including Trump, have reconsidered their stance due to the platform’s popularity and political significance.

The clash between national security concerns and the popularity of the app raises broader questions about the power of the U.S. government to regulate technology companies. Trump’s promise to shield companies from liability could allow TikTok to return to platforms like Apple and Google, which had previously removed the app in anticipation of the ban. However, whether this intervention will hold up legally remains to be seen, especially as several states have also filed lawsuits against TikTok, potentially adding complexity to the situation.

The controversy over TikTok also reflects the growing tensions between the U.S. and China, with many lawmakers concerned about the app’s potential role in espionage or influence operations. TikTok has repeatedly denied these allegations, asserting that it operates independently of the Chinese government and complies with U.S. laws. Still, the legal and political battles surrounding TikTok seem far from over, with questions about its future in the U.S. continuing to evolve.

As of now, the service is back online, and millions of U.S. users can continue using TikTok, but it remains unclear how long this reprieve will last. With Trump set to take office, his administration’s handling of this issue will be closely watched, especially as discussions about national security, free speech, and the regulation of tech companies intensify. Whether a lasting resolution can be reached or whether further legal challenges will arise is a developing story that will likely have significant implications for U.S.-China relations and the future of global tech regulation.

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