On January 19, 2025, TikTok reinstated its services in the United States after a brief suspension. This restoration followed President-elect Donald J. Trump’s announcement of an impending executive order to delay the enforcement of a federal ban on the app.
Background of the Ban
The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA), signed into law by President Joe Biden in April 2024, mandated that ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, divest its U.S. operations by January 19, 2025. Failure to comply would result in a nationwide ban of the app, citing national security concerns over data privacy and potential foreign influence.
Supreme Court Ruling
In response to legal challenges from ByteDance, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously upheld PAFACA on January 17, 2025, emphasizing the government’s authority to address national security threats. This decision reinforced the requirement for ByteDance to divest its U.S. TikTok operations by the stipulated deadline.
Temporary Shutdown
Facing the imminent ban and without a finalized divestment plan, ByteDance suspended TikTok services in the U.S. on January 18, 2025. Users experienced disruptions, and the app was removed from major app stores, leading to widespread concern among its 170 million American users.
Presidential Intervention
On January 19, 2025, President-elect Donald J. Trump announced his intention to issue an executive order granting ByteDance an additional 90 days to secure an approved buyer for TikTok’s U.S. operations. He also proposed a joint venture structure, allowing for 50% U.S. ownership to address national security concerns.
Service Restoration
Following President Trump’s announcement, TikTok began restoring its services to U.S. users on January 19, 2025. The company expressed gratitude for the clarity provided by the forthcoming executive order, which assured service providers they would not face penalties for supporting the app.
Ongoing Concerns
Despite the restoration, TikTok remains unavailable for download on major app stores as of January 20, 2025. Legal experts caution that while the executive order offers temporary relief, it may not fully shield service providers from potential liabilities. The app’s future in the U.S. hinges on ByteDance’s ability to finalize a divestment plan that satisfies both U.S. regulatory requirements and national security concerns.