TikTok Restored in the US After Brief Outage
Law Banning the App Comes into Effect
TikTok restored service in the United States on Sunday after briefly going dark, as a law banning the wildly popular app on national security grounds came into effect. The video-sharing platform credited President-elect Donald Trump, who retakes power on Monday, for making the reversal possible – though the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden had earlier said that it would not enforce any ban.
Trump’s Intervention
Earlier Sunday, as millions of dismayed users found themselves barred from the app, Trump promised to issue an executive order delaying the ban to allow time to “make a deal.” He also called in a post on his Truth Social platform for the United States to take part ownership in TikTok. Trump said he “would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture,” arguing that the app’s value could surge to “hundreds of billions of dollars – maybe trillions.”
TikTok’s Response
In a statement posted on X following Trump’s comments, TikTok said it “is in the process of restoring service.” It thanked President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to its service providers, stating that they would face no penalties for providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans. TikTok, which was back online in the United States by Sunday afternoon, did not address Trump’s call for part American ownership of the app.
Analyst’s View
Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives told AFP the episode “marked a big win for TikTok and a political win for Trump,” likening the episode to “high-stakes poker between the US and China.”
President’s Proof
At a pre-election rally on Sunday evening, Trump hammered home his enthusiasm for saving the app, telling the crowd: “Frankly, we have no choice, we have to save it,” while indicating that there were a “lot of jobs” involved. “We don’t want to give our business to China, we don’t want to give our business to other people,” Trump told his supporters.
The Law
The law allows for a 90-day delay of the ban if the White House can show progress toward a viable deal, but so far ByteDance has flatly refused any sale. The Biden administration said it would leave enforcement of the law to Trump.
TikTok’s Global Impact
From teenage dancers to grandmothers sharing cooking tips, TikTok has been embraced for its ability to transform ordinary users into global celebrities when a video goes viral. However, it is also rife with disinformation, and its Chinese ownership has long spurred national security fears, internationally as well as in the United States.
Conclusion
The temporary blackout of TikTok in the United States has brought attention to the app’s global impact and the concerns surrounding its ownership. The law banning the app may still be in effect, but the recent developments suggest that there is a possibility of a solution that benefits both the US and China. Only time will tell how this story unfolds.
FAQs
Q: What is the reason behind the ban on TikTok in the United States?
A: The ban is based on national security concerns, as the Trump administration believes that the app poses a risk to American national security due to its Chinese ownership.
Q: What is the current status of TikTok in the United States?
A: As of Sunday, TikTok has been restored in the United States, but the law banning the app is still in effect.
Q: What is the timeline for the ban?
A: The law allows for a 90-day delay of the ban if the White House can show progress toward a viable deal. However, ByteDance has flatly refused any sale, making it unclear what the future holds for TikTok in the United States.