TikTok makes comeback in U.S., after Trump statement
TikTok has recently returned to the U.S. market after a brief shutdown that lasted approximately 14 hours.
This interruption was a result of compliance with a law that effectively banned the app unless it divested from its parent company, ByteDance, which is based in China.
The Supreme Court upheld this law just prior to the ban, leading to significant actions from major tech companies.
On a Saturday night, both Google and Apple removed TikTok from their app stores as mandated by the new legislation.
This action also extended to web-hosting services, which were prohibited from providing backend support for TikTok during this blackout period.
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The enforcement of this law created uncertainty among service providers regarding potential legal repercussions, as violations could incur hefty fines amounting to billions of dollars.
However, on Sunday morning, President-elect Donald Trump intervened by posting on his Truth Social platform.
He announced plans to pause the enforcement of the ban and promised to extend liability protections for tech companies that continue supporting TikTok while discussions about its future take place under his incoming administration.
This statement provided enough assurance for web-hosting companies like Oracle and Akamai to restore TikTok’s services shortly thereafter.
Despite TikTok being back online for users, challenges remain.
Apple and Google have yet to reinstate TikTok in their app stores, meaning new users cannot download it and existing users are unable to receive crucial updates or make in-app purchases. Legal experts suggest that these tech giants may be waiting for further clarification on Trump’s ability to intervene without adhering strictly to the law’s requirements.
The situation remains fluid as lawmakers express skepticism about Trump’s authority to delay enforcement of an already enacted law. For instance, Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton emphasized that any company facilitating TikTok could face severe liabilities under various legal frameworks if they do not comply with the divestiture requirement.
