he Article Tells The Story of:
- TikTok Back Online after Trump’s promise to delay U.S. ban.
- Lawmakers debate legality as national security concerns persist.
- ByteDance faces pressure to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations.
Trump’s intervention brings TikTok back online in the U.S.
TikTok back online in the U.S. after President Trump announced plans to delay a law banning the app. Users who lost access late Saturday began seeing limited functionality on Sunday. TikTok thanked Trump for providing clarity to service providers, ensuring the platform remains available to over 170 million U.S. users and supporting small businesses dependent on it.
Trump revealed plans to extend the ban’s effective date, giving TikTok and its Chinese parent, ByteDance, more time to negotiate terms. He emphasized his desire for 50% U.S. ownership in any future agreement, citing national security concerns. Trump’s executive order will protect companies supporting TikTok’s operations from liability.
Check Out Our Article of TikTok Goes Dark in the U.S.: What’s Next for the App? Published on January 20, 2025 SquaredTech
TikTok Ban and ByteDance’s Challenges
TikTok faced shutdown due to concerns over its ties to ByteDance and potential misuse of American user data by the Chinese government. A law passed last year, upheld by the Supreme Court, mandated TikTok to sever ties with ByteDance or cease operations. ByteDance has yet to reach a resolution satisfying U.S. lawmakers.
Republican Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts opposed Trump’s temporary reprieve, insisting ByteDance must fully divest TikTok’s U.S. operations. The app’s uncertain future has driven users toward alternatives like RedNote, while competitors Meta and Snap have seen increased interest.
Impact on Businesses and Users
The sudden suspension of TikTok disrupted e-commerce transactions, marketing strategies, and influencer activities. Users scrambled to VPN services to bypass restrictions, while businesses relying on TikTok prepared contingency plans.
ByteDance is reportedly exploring potential buyers, including interest from Elon Musk and other high-profile figures. Perplexity AI has also submitted a bid to merge with TikTok U.S., aiming to establish a new entity with additional partners.
What’s Next for TikTok in the U.S.?
Trump’s intervention gives TikTok a temporary lifeline, but its long-term survival hinges on resolving national security concerns. The debate over foreign-owned apps and data privacy continues to shape the app’s uncertain future. ByteDance must finalize a solution before the extended deadline or risk another shutdown.
Stay Updated: Tech News
