TikTok has begun restoring service in the United States after President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to issue an executive order on his first day in office to extend the platform’s operations.
Following Saturday’s blackout, some U.S. users reported regaining access to the app. Trump urged companies to support TikTok’s return, proposing a national security deal in which the U.S. would hold a 50% stake in a joint venture with the platform’s owners.
The proposed executive order aims to provide clarity and assurance to service providers while keeping TikTok operational for over 170 million American users and supporting small businesses relying on the platform.
The app’s suspension followed a bipartisan law mandating TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform by Sunday or face a U.S. ban due to national security concerns.
Despite the law being upheld by the Supreme Court, Trump’s proposed extension offers a potential path forward. TikTok praised Trump’s commitment to protecting free speech and avoiding arbitrary censorship.
With Trump set to be sworn in as the 47th U.S. president, discussions on a long-term solution to secure TikTok’s future in the United States are expected to continue.
Image credit: Rubaital Azad
