After being taken offline in the United States for 14 hours, TikTok has announced that it is in the process of restoring service. In a statement posted to X, the company said:
In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. 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.
STATEMENT FROM TIKTOK:
In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. 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…
— TikTok Policy (@TikTokPolicy) January 19, 2025
TikTok was taken offline at 10:30 p.m. ET in the United States on Saturday as a federal ban took effect. Apple then removed the app from its App Store.
President-elect Donald Trump had asked the Supreme Court to delay making a decision and to delay TikTok’s ban, but saw the court decline to do so.
In an interview on Saturday with NBC News, Trump indicated that he would “most likely” give TikTok a 90-day extension:
“I think that would be, certainly, an option that we look at. The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate. You know, it’s appropriate. We have to look at it carefully. It’s a very big situation,” Trump said in the phone interview. “If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.
In an internal memo on Saturday night (first revealed by The Verge), TikTok told its employees that it is optimistic about the app’s future under Trump:
“We know this is disappointing for you not only as employees, but as users. However, 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 know our teams are working tirelessly to bring our app back to the U.S. as soon as possible.”
