The Blubber

TikTok announced on Sunday that it is restoring service to U.S. users after suspending access the previous evening.

In a statement, the company confirmed that its video-sharing platform was coming back online following assurances from President-elect Donald Trump to its service providers.

“With agreement from our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” TikTok said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “We appreciate President Trump for offering the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers, allowing TikTok to remain available to over 170 million Americans and support more than 7 million small businesses.”

“This is a victory for the First Amendment and a stand against arbitrary censorship,” the company added. “We look forward to working with President Trump on a long-term solution to keep TikTok in the United States.”

Trump's Intervention

Just before TikTok’s temporary suspension, Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, expressing his desire for the app to remain operational to broadcast his inauguration on Monday.

“I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, giving us an opportunity to reach a deal that ensures our national security,” Trump wrote. “The order will also guarantee that no service provider will face penalties for keeping TikTok accessible until my order takes effect.”

Restoration of Service

TikTok began gradually restoring access on Sunday afternoon. Users first regained access through web browsers, and later the app became functional for some. TikTok greeted returning users with a message:
“Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.! Continue creating, sharing, and discovering the content you love on TikTok.”

Despite the partial restoration, the app remained unavailable for download from Apple’s App Store and Google Play.

Background on the Ban

The law banning TikTok, signed by President Joe Biden in April, was set to take effect on Sunday. The legislation mandates that TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divest its U.S. operations to a non-Chinese buyer to avoid a nationwide ban.

The law permits the president to grant a 90-day extension to delay enforcement if specific conditions are met.

In the days leading up to the ban, both the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration appeared to soften their previously hardline stances on TikTok.