Washington, D.C. – January 19, 2025: Popular video-sharing platform TikTok has resumed operations in the United States after a brief suspension that had left millions of users and small businesses in uncertainty. The restoration comes after President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to extend the deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to divest its U.S. operations.
The law, passed in 2024, required TikTok to either sell its U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban by January 19, 2025. On January 18, the app preemptively ceased its services in the U.S. to comply with the mandate. However, Trump’s assurance of an executive order to push back the deadline prompted TikTok to begin restoring its services.
In a statement, TikTok confirmed, “In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We are grateful to President-elect Trump for providing clarity and assurance, allowing us to continue serving over 170 million Americans and 7 million small businesses.”
Despite this temporary reprieve, TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain, as negotiations regarding ByteDance’s divestment are ongoing. Critics and lawmakers have expressed concerns about data privacy and national security, which initially led to the legislation.
TikTok’s sudden suspension had disrupted content creators, marketers, and small businesses that rely on the platform for income and promotion. With its restoration, many are breathing a sigh of relief, at least for now, as they await further updates on the app’s status in the United States.
The executive order extending the deadline is expected to be finalized in the coming days, but analysts warn that without a permanent resolution, the platform’s operations may face further hurdles.
