New York (Web Desk/Agencies): TikTok said Sunday it was restoring service to users in the United States (US) after President -elect Donald Trump announced plans to intervene, indicating he would sign an executive order to postpone the ban.
TikTok was temporarily inaccessible for users in the US following a Supreme Court ruling that upheld a ban on the popular video-sharing platform.
This decision stemmed from ongoing national security concerns due to TikTok's ownership by ByteDance, a Chinese company.
Trump also clarified that companies helping to keep TikTok available to US users would not face penalties.
The executive order, expected to be signed on Monday, was seen as a move to buy time for a potential resolution, allowing for discussions that could safeguard both national security and TikTok’s presence in the country.
During his first tenure as president, Trump had attempted to block TikTok during his presidency, citing fears of the platform's potential use for spying by the Chinese government.
Despite his failure to follow through on those bans, the issue resurfaced with Congress passing legislation last year, requiring ByteDance to either sell TikTok to a US-approved company or face a shutdown.
The Supreme Court's decision reinforced the legal pressure on the app. TikTok has consistently denied any improper sharing of data with the Chinese government.
On the evening of the ruling, US users attempting to access TikTok saw a message announcing the platform was unavailable due to the law's enforcement.
However, by Sunday afternoon, users reported that the app was once again operational, with TikTok thanking Trump for his intervention and support.
Although the Biden administration had initially expressed that it would not immediately enforce the ban, the uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future continued, with both sides exploring a long-term solution to the ongoing dispute.
