TikTok is dead! TikTok is dead! Long live TikTok! A US ban on the social media app has been averted, at least for now, the company announced in a Sunday mid-day tweet. The app was the subject of bipartisan legislation known as the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, a federal move that would make it illegal for service providers to enable its use within the US unless Chinese parent company ByteDance sold the app to a Western owner.
Though President-elect Donald Trump had urged the US Supreme Court to delay deliberations on a challenge to that ban, they issued a ruling on Friday upholding the law. Ninety minutes before its shutdown deadline at midnight Saturday, the app went dark, replaced with a message that read, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.
“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 stay tuned!”
On Sunday morning, Trump posted his plans to reverse the ban on Truth Social, the app he co-owns. “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,” he wrote.
“The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order”
A few hours later, TikTok’s policy-focused X account tweeted that “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 for 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.”
This is a breaking story, please check back for updates.
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