TikTok resumed operations in the US on Sunday after a brief outage, following President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement to delay the platform's ban. The ban stemmed from the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which required ByteDance to divest TikTok’s US operations by January 19, citing national security concerns.
Trump stated on Truth Social that an executive order on Monday would grant a 90-day extension to facilitate negotiations. The order also assures service providers they won’t face penalties for supporting TikTok’s 170 million US users and 7 million small businesses.
ByteDance and TikTok welcomed the decision, calling it a stand for the First Amendment and against censorship. The platform’s CEO, Shou Chew, is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration.
The temporary resolution allows TikTok to seek a sustainable operational solution in the US, with potential joint ventures being discussed. Zhu Keli of the China Institute of New Economy highlighted the challenges Chinese tech firms face in navigating geopolitical uncertainties and compliance.
Meanwhile, opinions remain divided. Senator Rand Paul criticized the ban as an infringement on free speech, while Senator Tom Cotton warned companies against aiding TikTok due to potential legal consequences.
TikTok’s future in the US remains uncertain, but the delay provides a window for resolution and highlights its commercial and user value in a contentious political landscape.
News Source: China Daily
