TikTok says it is in the process of restoring service, thanks Trump, who says he is considering giving app an extension
- Move comes after TikTok shut down in US following federal ban, with company announcing that users in US would be unable to use video-sharing app 'for the time being'
- President-elect Donald Trump writes, "SAVE TIKTOK!" on his social media platform, Truth Social, on day before his inauguration
TikTok began restoring its service Sunday, less than a day since owner ByteDance shut the video-sharing app down in the US after a federal ban went into effect.
“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” TikTok said Sunday afternoon in a post on X.
The statement also thanked US President-elect Donald Trump, who said he was considering giving TikTok an extension as reports circulated about potential bidders.
“We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive.
“It's a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States,” it added.
Earlier, many users had reported seeing a message that hinted at a resolution later in the day.
"Sorry, TikTok isn't available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can't use TikTok for now," the app's initial message read.
"We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!"
Hours later, optimism emerged when some users were greeted with a new message upon opening the app: "Welcome back."
The updated message from TikTok said: “Thank you for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump's efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.! You can continue to create, share, and discover all the things you love on TikTok."
-'Sorry, TikTok isn't available'
TikTok had announced earlier in the day that it would make its services "temporarily unavailable" due to the federal ban.
"We regret that a U.S. law banning TikTok will take effect on January 19 and force us to make our services temporarily unavailable," the popular video-sharing app said in a message to all users. "We're working to restore our service in the U.S. as soon as possible, and we appreciate your support. Please stay tuned."
The law, signed last April, required TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest from the app within 270 days or face a ban.
The court ruled that the divest-or-ban ultimatum does not violate the company's First Amendment rights in the US Constitution.
The White House said the Chinese social media app should remain available in the US but under American ownership to address national security concerns.
-'SAVE TIKTOK!'
While the US Supreme Court upheld the law on Friday, Trump has promised to intervene.
Trump, who will return to the White House on Monday to begin his non-consecutive second term, had already expressed sympathy for TikTok and urged the top court to postpone the decision to allow for negotiations.
In an earlier post on Truth Social on Sunday, the day before his inauguration, Trump had said: "SAVE TIKTOK!"
Later, he vowed to issue an executive order on Monday to delay the law's implementation and work toward a solution.
"I'm asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark! I will issue an executive order to extend the period of time before the law's prohibitions take effect so that we can make a deal to protect our national security," he said.
The president-elect also proposed a joint venture to keep TikTok operational, emphasizing that US ownership would ensure its compliance with national security standards.
"I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture. By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands, and allow it to stay up. Without U.S. approval, there is no TikTok. With our approval, it is worth hundreds of billions of dollars—maybe trillions."
"Americans deserve to see our exciting Inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations," he added.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Trump's inauguration.
