Incoming US President Donald Trump has promised to delay the ban on TikTok, enabling the short-form video platform to resume operations in the United States after a temporary shutdown that lasted nearly 24 hours.
Trump’s stance on TikTok marks a dramatic shift from his previous actions. In 2020, he issued executive orders aimed at halting the operations of ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, and the messaging app WeChat, citing national security concerns.
On Saturday, TikTok went offline for its 170 million US users, a substantial portion of the country’s 334 million residents as of 2023. The platform also serves over 7 million small businesses in the US, making its shutdown a significant disruption.
The ban stems from a federal law prohibiting ByteDance from operating in the United States without finding an approved buyer. Trump indicated that TikTok would be given more time to meet this requirement.
This decision contrasts with the Biden administration’s stance, which had given TikTok the choice to sell its US operations or cease entirely. The situation recalls the US trade restrictions imposed on Chinese tech giant Huawei in 2019, also over security concerns.
Trump’s acknowledgment of TikTok’s influence is quite significant. He credited the platform with helping him connect with younger voters, which he believes contributed to his victory in the 2024 presidential election against Vice President Kamala Harris.
Despite its removal from Apple’s App Store and Google Play during the shutdown, TikTok’s brief absence highlights its cultural and economic significance in the US market.
The resolution of the TikTok issue remains uncertain, as ByteDance faces mounting pressure to secure a deal that aligns with US regulations.