By Okafor Joseph Afam
January 20, 2025

In a dramatic turn of events, TikTok announced on Sunday the restoration of its services for U.S. users after a temporary blackout on Saturday evening. The platform confirmed that the resolution came after President-elect Donald Trump provided critical assurances to its service providers.

TikTok shared the news in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service.” The company went on to express gratitude to Trump for ensuring that providers would not face penalties for supporting the app.

“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,” the statement read.

The video-sharing giant highlighted the significance of the decision, describing it as a “strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.” TikTok also pledged to collaborate with Trump’s administration to develop a long-term solution to maintain its presence in the United States.

The announcement followed a surprise statement from Trump on Truth Social just hours before the platform’s temporary blackout. Trump, who has been vocal about his concerns over TikTok’s Chinese ownership, surprisingly advocated for the app to remain operational in the U.S.

In his post, Trump hinted at a potential 90-day extension to give TikTok and its stakeholders time to address national security concerns.

“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. The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order,” Trump stated.

TikTok’s availability remains limited, as the app is still not accessible for download via Apple’s and Google’s app stores. This follows a law signed by President Joe Biden in April, which mandates that ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, sell the app to a non-Chinese buyer to avoid a permanent ban.

The law, initially set to take effect on Sunday, contains a provision allowing the president to grant a 90-day extension under certain conditions.

The temporary restriction sparked widespread frustration among TikTok users, many of whom took to social media to voice their concerns. The platform, which boasts over 170 million users in the U.S., has also been a critical tool for more than 7 million small businesses.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on the incoming Trump administration and TikTok’s efforts to secure a long-term solution to the ongoing controversy surrounding its ownership and operation in the United States.