TikTok has come back online just 12 hours after the social video platform went dark over the threat of a nationwide ban in the US.
Users were able to access TikTok again starting around 12:00 p.m. ET on Sunday.
TikTok’s decision to restore access in the US followed an announcement by President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday morning, in which he revealed his intention to issue an executive order on Monday to delay the platform’s ban in the US by 90 days. Trump also said his executive order would shield app stores and services provides from liability for hosting TikTok.
“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” the company said in statement on Sunday. “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,” the statement added. “We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”
Under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act—passed overwhelmingly by Congress, signed into law by President Joe Biden, and upheld by the US Supreme Court last week—Trump has the authority to delay the ban set to take effect on January 19th if TikTok demonstrates progress in divesting from its Chinese-owned parent company, ByteDance.
This is a developing story…