TikTok Reactivated in the U.S. Following Trump's Promise to Issue an Executive Order

TikTok has announced that it has reactivated its services in the United States. This news came after Donald Trump, the elected president, promised to restore access to the app in the U.S. on Monday. TikTok wrote in a message to its users: "Thanks to President Trump's efforts, TikTok is once again available in the United States." The social media platform had previously issued a statement indicating that some American users were able to access the TikTok website again. Additionally, the more widely used TikTok app has been reactivated for some users with minor restrictions. In another statement, TikTok announced: "In collaboration with service providers, steps are being taken to fully restore access to TikTok." The company also thanked Trump for "providing the necessary transparency and assurance" that service providers would not face any penalties for regaining access to the social network. The U.S. Supreme Court confirmed a law on Friday, January 28, stating that if the parent company of this video-sharing app does not sell it by Sunday, its operations in the U.S. would be banned. Just hours before this law was officially enacted, on Saturday night, January 29, the TikTok app sent a message to American users saying goodbye for now: "The TikTok ban law in the United States has been enacted. Unfortunately, this means you cannot use TikTok for now." However, a few hours later, Donald Trump, the elected president of the United States, announced that he intends to issue an executive order giving the Chinese parent company of TikTok more time to find an approved buyer. This action would allow the popular social network to remain active in the United States for at least a longer period. Mr. Trump, who announced this decision on his social media account, "Truth Media," further stated that issuing this executive order would extend the law's deadline and ensure that no company that helped keep TikTok active before the issuance of this order would face legal consequences. He also wrote: "Americans deserve to watch our exciting inauguration ceremony on Monday, along with other events and discussions [on TikTok]." The U.S. Supreme Court confirmed the TikTok ban. On Sunday night, he proposed a new way to keep the app operating in the U.S.: a 50% ownership stake by one or more American investors alongside the Chinese owner. The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded on Monday to this proposal from the new American president, stating that even in this case, TikTok, due to its Chinese ownership, must comply with Chinese laws and regulations. China and the United States are economic and geopolitical rivals, and the Chinese ownership of TikTok has raised concerns among American leaders for years. The battle over this social network occurs in the final days of Biden's presidency and at a time when trade tensions between these two major world economies have also been on the rise. Given Trump's current opposition to this ban, some supporters of this social network hope that his presence in the White House will allow them to continue using this short video-sharing platform. Trump was unable to do anything to keep this app open before stepping into the White House, but it is clear that TikTok also hopes the new U.S. president can lift this ban. In TikTok's recent message to users, this hope is explicitly mentioned, and users are asked to "stay with us." On Saturday, Trump stated in an interview with NBC News that one way to keep TikTok open is to issue a 90-day deadline by him, which he can order after entering the White House, hoping to find a definitive solution for TikTok in the U.S. within the next three months. According to a law signed by Joe Biden, ByteDance had 9 to 12 months to divest TikTok in the U.S., or it would be banned. However, the Chinese company ByteDance, which owns the TikTok social network, has previously firmly stated that it is not willing to sell the platform in the U.S. and prefers the U.S. government to ban its use. TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms in the United States, with about 170 million users, including many young people. Its powerful algorithm, which is its main asset, provides users with personalized short videos.