After blocking it the previous day, TikTok said it would restore service to U.S. users on January 19. In a statement, the company said the video platform is returning after President-elect Donald Trump provided the necessary assurances to the service providers.
Furthermore, TikTok posted on X/Twitter stating that, thanks to Trump, their “service providers will face no penalties providing the platform 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,” the company added.
Just hours before TikTok blocked service to Americans, Trump posted to Truth Social calling for it to remain available.
Trump indicated that he wanted it to be available to broadcast his inauguration on Monday.
“I will issue an executive order on Monday 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. The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order,” Trump wrote.
TikTok’s availability came back in spurts Sunday afternoon, with access to its content first becoming available through web browsers. Later in the day, it became usable for some, and it welcomed users back with the message “Welcome back! Thanks 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.”
The app was still unavailable for download from Apple’s and Google’s app stores.
The law banning TikTok, which was scheduled to go into effect Sunday, allows the president to grant a 90-day extension before the ban is enforced, provided certain criteria are met.
Under a law that President Joe Biden signed in April, TikTok would be banned unless its Chinese owner, ByteDance, sold the company to a non-Chinese buyer.
Prior to the ban’s implementation, both Biden and the incoming Trump administration appeared to reverse their earlier positions on TikTok.
During his campaign, Trump, who had advocated for a ban during his first term as president, came out in support of TikTok, saying he’d save it.