TikTok restores service in the US after Trump announces pause on ban

TikTok is now accessible to users in the US after incoming President Donald Trump announced he would “pause” a ban on its services in the country.

After the Supreme Court ruled to uphold a ban on Chinese-owned internet service providers last week, the short-form video app became inaccessible in the US at around 10:30PM EST on Saturday (January 18) — hours before the ban was due to take effect on January 19.

When users opened the app, they reported seeing a pop-up message that said a law banning the app had been enacted. “Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now,” it said, according to The Guardian.

The message added: “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”

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However, the following day (Sunday, January 19) millions of US TikTok users regained the use of the app and were greeted with a message that said: “Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the US!” as per Sky News.

It came after Trump had announced that he intended to block the ban via his social media platform, Truth Social. “I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark!” he said, adding that he would sign an executive order today (January 20) to give an extension on the period before TikTok’s ban will take effect.

“Americans deserve to see our exciting Inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations,” he wrote, declaring that he would like a US-based investor to have “50% ownership” of the app. The incoming President also said that without US approval “there is no TikTok”.

TikTok thanked the President-elect for providing “clarity and assurance” upon restoring its service, saying it would work with Trump on a “long-term solution” to keep TikTok available to use in the US.

STATEMENT FROM TIKTOK:

In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170…

— TikTok Policy (@TikTokPolicy) January 19, 2025

During a phone interview with ABC News on Saturday, Trump said he would “most likely extend for 90 days,” the period before the ban will come into effect.

TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, had been banned as part of a law passed last April, which prohibits “distributing, maintaining, or providing internet hosting services” for any apps owned by a “covered company” controlled by a “foreign adversary”, including China, North Korea, Iran and Russia.

TikTok had appealed the decision to ban its services before the Supreme Court, arguing that the new law “violated free speech” for its American users.

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According to AP News, Trump’s legal authority to extend TikTok’s operations in the US and prevent the enforcement of the ban remains unclear.

The President-elect had previously supported the ban on TikTok during his first term but ended up joining Tiktok as part of his reelection campaign in June; he now has nearly 15 million followers and has credited the app for helping him win over young voters.

“I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok,” he said during a press conference on December 16. “Because I won youth by 34 points. There are those who say that TikTok has something to do with that. TikTok had an impact.”

Donald Trump is due to be inaugurated as President of the United States later today in Washington DC.

Henrietta Taylor is Mixmag’s Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter