It’s been just over 12 hours since the app went dark, but TikTok will be back in the US, the platform said in an X post on Sunday afternoon.
“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” the TikTok Policy X account posted on Sunday. “We thank President Trump for the assurance and clarity needed for our service providers that they will not face no punishment providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over seven million small businesses to thrive. It’s a strong stance on the First Amendment and against censorship. We’ll work with President Trump for a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”
As of Sunday afternoon, users reported a mix of accessibility, with some having full access to the platform in web browsers and the mobile app, with others able to access the full website and only parts of the app.
TikTok remained unavailable on the Apple App and Google Play stores as of Sunday afternoon.
Live Updates:TikTok works to restore service after Trump’s guarantee
When and why was TikTok banned in the US?
TikTok was taken down on Saturday night, just hours before legislation banning the app came into force on Sunday. TikTok users who tried to access the platform in web browsers and through the mobile app were greeted with a pop-up message restricting their access.
“A law has been passed in the US that bans TikTok, unfortunately this means you cannot use TikTok at this time,” read the message that appears on the TikTok mobile app and website. “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to restore TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”
The legislation that created the TikTok ban was signed into law by President Joe Biden last spring. For several years, some government officials have expressed concerns that ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, is a national security threat. They have been concerned that ByteDance, based in Beijing, could share US user data with the Chinese government.
Can Trump ‘Save’ TikTok?
Despite previously supporting a ban on TikTok, particularly during his first administration, President-elect Donald Trump is now seeking to “save” it.
Trump told NBC News last week that he plans to issue an executive order Monday afternoon, just hours into his second term, temporarily halting the ban.
More:‘Save TikTok’: Donald Trump says he will issue executive order to delay TikTok ban
The president-elect also took to his social media platform Truth Social on Sunday to clarify his intentions with the order, which will “extend the period of time before the law’s bans go into effect so that we can make a agreement to protect our national security.”
Trump added that, “The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark prior to my order.”
If Trump implements this executive order on Monday, TikTok’s current restrictions will have lasted less than 48 hours. Trump did not specify on Sunday the length of his planned extension, though he told NBC’s Kristen Welker on Saturday that he would “most likely” offer a 90-day reprieve.
Is it illegal to join TikTok?
It is not illegal for users to access TikTok, although the ban is still technically in effect under federal law. However, the same is not true for web hosting services and app stores that distribute the platform.
Under Biden’s legislation, it became illegal for web hosting services and app stores to distribute TikTok on Sunday. However, the TikTok Policy post claims that online hosting services will not be reprimanded for restoring the platform under Trump.
More:How the TikTok ban works: Why not complying is dangerous, even if Trump wants to help
The federal legislation says the companies will be fined $5,000 for each user they help gain access to TikTok.
For Google and Apple, this could mean a $5,000 fine for each user who downloads or updates the app through the companies’ services. For web hosting services like Oracle, it could mean a $5,000 fine for each user who simply accesses the application through its services.
Neither Google, Apple nor Oracle immediately responded for comment when contacted by USA TODAY on Sunday.
This story was updated to add new information.
Contributed by: Savannah Kuchar, Aysha Bagchi and Maureen Groppe
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her atgcross@usatoday.com.
