TikTok began restoring its services in the U.S. following President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to reinstate the app after his return to power.
Donald Trump announced plans to save TikTok through a joint venture, ensuring access for over 170 million American users and supporting more than 7 million small businesses.
TikTok expressed gratitude for Donald Trump’s efforts, noting that service providers received assurances against penalties, enabling restoration of services.
Although basic services started coming back online, the app remained unavailable for download on U.S. app stores as of Sunday evening, Reuters news report said.
Donald Trump extended the period before a law banning TikTok takes effect, aiming to negotiate a deal that protects national security, including a proposed 50 percent U.S. ownership stake in a joint venture. This decision marks a shift from his 2020 stance, where concerns over data privacy led him to seek the app’s ban.
TikTok’s earlier notification informed users of the ban while reassuring them of Trump’s intent to find a resolution. The situation reflects growing tensions in U.S.-China relations, with China opposing the suppression of TikTok and warning of measures to safeguard its interests. Republican critics argued that only a full divestiture could comply with the law, highlighting divisions within Donald Trump’s party over efforts to bypass the ban.
ByteDance-owned apps like CapCut and Lemon8 also went offline in U.S. app stores. Web searches for VPNs spiked as users sought workarounds, while marketers reliant on TikTok scrambled to devise contingency plans.
Reports suggest interest from suitors, including Elon Musk and other investors, in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations. ByteDance remains privately held, with a majority owned by institutional investors. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew plans to attend Trump’s inauguration and rally, signaling collaboration as efforts to resolve the issue continue.
TelecomLead.com News Desk