Advertisements
Home News TikTok Resumes Service In U.S. After Voluntary Shutdown Following Divestment Law

TikTok Resumes Service In U.S. After Voluntary Shutdown Following Divestment Law

by Celia
TikTok

TikTok has officially resumed operations in the United States following a brief voluntary shutdown that lasted less than 24 hours. The app’s return comes after President-elect Donald Trump stepped in with a commitment to pause the controversial ban and extend the deadline for its enforcement.

Advertisements

In a statement, TikTok expressed gratitude to President Trump for providing clarity and assurances to its service providers, affirming that they will face no penalties for continuing to offer TikTok to over 170 million American users. The company emphasized its support for the First Amendment, calling the temporary shutdown a stand against arbitrary censorship. TikTok also committed to collaborating with the new administration to find a long-term solution that will allow the platform to remain operational in the U.S.

Advertisements

The app, owned by Chinese parent company ByteDance, had shut down operations on January 19, 2025, ahead of a deadline imposed by a new law aimed at addressing national security concerns. The law, passed last year, gave ByteDance until January 19 to divest from TikTok or face a ban in U.S. app stores and hosting services. After the Supreme Court upheld the law, TikTok challenged its enforcement, arguing that the law infringed on free speech and violated constitutional rights.

Advertisements

TikTok’s service suspension, which affected millions of American users, was brief, but the law continues to pose a significant challenge. The legislation, which was signed into law by President Biden in April 2024, requires ByteDance to divest from TikTok or face severe penalties. The Supreme Court’s decision affirmed that the law was aimed at protecting national security, addressing concerns about TikTok’s data collection practices and its potential to be used by the Chinese government.

Despite the setbacks, President-elect Trump has taken steps to delay the law’s enforcement, stating that he plans to issue an executive order on Monday that would extend the deadline. Trump has previously expressed a desire to find a solution that keeps TikTok operational in the U.S., including exploring options for U.S. ownership.

While the company remains confident that it will continue to operate in the U.S. under the Trump administration, the long-term fate of TikTok remains uncertain. The law remains on the books, and Apple, Google, and other service providers could face penalties if the law is enforced in the future.

TikTok’s brief shutdown has left users and lawmakers questioning the future of the platform, but for now, TikTok has assured its 170 million U.S. users that the app will remain available and that efforts to resolve the situation will continue in collaboration with President Trump.

Read more:

Advertisements

You may also like

logo

Bilkuj is a comprehensive legal portal. The main columns include legal knowledge, legal news, laws and regulations, legal special topics and other columns.

「Contact us: [email protected]

© 2023 Copyright bilkuj.com