TikTok Back Online in the U.S After Temporary Suspension
TikTok resumed operations in the United States on Sunday, just hours after the app was temporarily suspended.
The platform announced its commitment to collaborate with President-elect Donald Trump, set to take office on Monday, to develop a long-term solution that ensures TikTok remains accessible in the U.S.
The suspension followed a message displayed to U.S. users on Saturday, which read, “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.” The app was also removed from Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store that evening.
TikTok, based in Los Angeles, had previously warned that it would be forced to cease operations for its 170 million U.S. users unless President Joe Biden provided a clear resolution by Sunday.
This situation stems from a U.S. Supreme Court decision on Friday, which upheld a law requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app to an American firm or face a nationwide ban.
The potential ban threatened to disrupt millions of small businesses. TikTok reported that over 7 million U.S. accounts used the platform for business purposes as of November 2024.
According to TikTok, the shutdown could have resulted in $1.3 billion in lost revenue and earnings for small businesses and creators in the first month alone, with nearly 2 million creators losing approximately $300 million in income.
In response to the suspension, many users voiced their frustrations on other social media platforms. Emily Senn, a content creator with 340,000 followers, shared an emotional farewell video, stating, “I’ll never forgive the U.S. government for this.”
Alejandro Flores-Munoz, a catering business owner in Denver, Colorado, expressed similar concerns, saying TikTok had allowed him to reach customers without marketing costs. “Losing TikTok feels devastating, as it played a huge role in my business growth,” he said.
On Sunday, Trump took to Truth Social to announce plans for an executive order that would allow TikTok to continue operating in the U.S., likely granting a 90-day extension.
Trump also proposed a joint venture structure, suggesting the U.S. should have a 50% ownership stake in any new partnership with TikTok’s current or future owners.
This temporary reprieve offers hope to businesses and creators reliant on TikTok, though the long-term future of the app remains uncertain.
TikTok Back Online in the U.S After Temporary Suspension
