WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 10: (L-R) Sarah Baus of Charleston, SC, holds a sign that reads “Keep … [+]
It’s been a bit of a roller coaster for one of the world’s most popular social media apps. Chinese-owned TikTok went dark on Sunday after the long-awaited ban finally went into effect, following statements by the Biden administration that it was leaving the decision to the incoming Trump administration.
Now, TikTok is working to restore the service to US users after Trump said he would push back the ban once he takes office. Some users are already reporting that the app is live again, just hours after it was shut down, though it’s unclear when it will become available to download on the App Store and Google Play.
In a tweet, TikTok – a subsidiary of Chinese corporation ByteDance – stated: “In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for the necessary clarity and certainty for our service providers that they will not face any penalties while providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive.
“It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”
This follows a Social Truth post by Donald Trump saying he will sign an executive order extending the time period before the ban takes effect, which would allow more time for a potential non-Chinese buyer to make a purchase. “Americans deserve to see our exciting inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations,” Trump noted in the statement.
The original idea to ban TikTok came during Trump’s first term, although the law took effect during the Biden administration and was achieved with bipartisan support. Some critics of the ban suggest it has nothing to do with national security, but to exert more legal control over foreign and domestic social media companies. Former US Congressman Justin Amash tweeted: “The TikTok Act is not just about TikTok. It’s a weapon against people like @elonmusk who don’t play ball with the US government when it comes to restricting legal content.” In a separate tweet, he wrote:
“Never forget that nearly every Democrat and Republican in Congress voted not only to ban TikTok, but to ban threatening speech on ALL platforms (including wholly American-owned companies) by giving the government new powers to pressure companies, including X, to engage in censorship and algorithm manipulation.”
Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie also expressed his concerns with the bill at the time, arguing that the only way to enforce a ban was to prosecute American citizens. Senator Rand Paul created a TikTok account the day before the ban took effect, calling it a form of civil disobedience. He posted a video telling viewers:
“Why am I joining TikTok as soon as the government ban starts? Because I don’t like being told what to do. I don’t like being told what I can think or what I can say. The courts might think there’s a First Amendment exception “I didn’t join TikTok as a form of civil disobedience. To the 170 million Americans who use TikTok. Don’t give up.”
As always, issues of national security and personal liberty come into conflict in ways that are difficult for most observers to parse.
As of now, expect to see TikTok come back to life during the day. Whether a deal can be reached before the new expiration date remains to be seen. Many potential buyers have come forward, including Elon Musk and popular YouTuber Mr. Beast.
For more updates on the TikTok ban as they happen, check out Forbes’ ongoing coverage.
