TikTok has swiftly resumed operations in the United States following a dramatic intervention by President-elect Donald Trump.
The platform, which had shut down for approximately 12 hours, is now back online, with many users reporting uninterrupted access as though it had never been banned.
The ban on TikTok, which had stirred widespread frustration among its 170 million American users, was officially lifted on Sunday after Trump addressed his supporters, saying, "Frankly, we have no choice. We have to save it."
Trump also announced plans for a potential joint venture that would secure TikTok's presence in the U.S. under terms that prioritize national security.
Following this decision, the previously ominous message displayed on the app about its unavailability "A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can't use TikTok for now," was replaced with a celebratory update crediting Trump’s efforts for its return "As a result of president Trump's efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S."
The initial ban on TikTok stemmed from national security concerns tied to its parent company, ByteDance, based in China.
U.S. lawmakers were apprehensive about the potential misuse of data by the Chinese government, sparking bipartisan support for actions to limit TikTok’s operations unless ByteDance relinquished control. The situation escalated to a ban after legal efforts to enforce divestment proved unsuccessful.
Before its brief suspension, TikTok had been a cultural mainstay in the U.S., with millions of users relying on it for entertainment and connection. The app’s shutdown on January 18, 2025, was met with widespread disappointment, highlighting its significance in American digital culture.