TikTok resumes US Service after Trump's pledge

TikTok has resumed its services to 170 million American users after President-elect Donald Trump pledged to issue an executive order granting the app a reprieve when he takes office on Monday.

The platform, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, had ceased operations for US users on Saturday evening following the enactment of a ban based on national security concerns.

Trump, who had previously supported the ban, announced on Sunday that he would delay its enforcement to allow more time for negotiations. “I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark!” Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social. “I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security.”

TikTok quickly began restoring service, and users were greeted with a popup message thanking Trump by name. In a statement, TikTok expressed gratitude to the incoming president for “providing the necessary clarity and assurance” and committed to working with him on a long-term solution to keep the app operational in the US.

Despite the law being upheld by the Supreme Court and taking effect on Sunday, Trump’s intervention promises to delay its enforcement. Legal experts have pointed out the ambiguity surrounding Trump’s authority to postpone a law already in effect. University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias noted that while the law includes a provision allowing the president to delay the ban for up to 90 days if substantial progress on national security concerns is shown, it remains unclear whether these conditions have been met.

The law, passed in April with bipartisan support, required ByteDance to sell its US operations or face a ban. TikTok had argued the law violated free speech protections, but the Supreme Court unanimously upheld it. The Biden administration had already indicated it would not enforce the ban in its final hours, leaving the matter to the incoming Trump administration.

The issue has highlighted divisions within the Republican Party. Senator Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick for Secretary of State, had previously supported the ban but deferred to Trump’s decision. Meanwhile, Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton warned that companies facilitating TikTok’s operations could face significant legal repercussions.

TikTok’s future remains uncertain, with potential legal challenges looming over Trump’s planned executive order. Professor Tobias emphasized the importance of working with Congress to resolve the issue without violating the law.

As TikTok resumes service, the debate continues over the app’s place in the US, its national security implications, and the broader impact of Trump’s executive order on the ongoing legal and political landscape.