TikTok resumed operations in the United States on Sunday after President-elect Donald J. Trump announced plans to issue an executive order delaying a federal ban on the app.
The development came just hours after major app stores removed TikTok and the app ceased functioning for U.S. users as a new federal law took effect. In a post on X, TikTok said it was "in the process of restoring service" in agreement with its service providers.
“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,” Trump wrote Sunday morning on Truth Social.
The ban stems from a 2024 law requiring app stores and cloud computing providers to stop distributing or hosting TikTok unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells the platform.
App stores and cloud providers that violate the law face significant financial penalties. In his post, Trump assured companies they would not face liability for enabling TikTok to continue operations until his order is issued.
The announcement of a potential executive order, combined with TikTok’s rapid restoration, signals a new chapter in the ongoing conflict over the app’s future. TikTok has transformed social media, influenced popular culture, and provided income for millions of influencers and small businesses reliant on its platform.
If issued, Trump’s order would temporarily override a law that passed with broad bipartisan support in Congress and was unanimously upheld by the Supreme Court last week, raising concerns about the rule of law in the United States.
“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,” TikTok said in a statement confirming the app’s return.
Despite Trump’s assurances, policy experts and lawmakers cautioned that the law remains valid and enforceable. TikTok was still unavailable for download on Google and Apple app stores as of Sunday, indicating some companies were continuing to adhere to the ban.
Supreme Court ruling on Friday ruled against TikTok's challenge against the ban
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Friday against TikTok’s First Amendment challenge to a law banning the app in the United States starting Sunday, dealing a critical blow to the platform’s U.S. operations.
“There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community,” the court wrote in its decision. “But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary.”
President Joe Biden signed the law in spring 2024, following bipartisan support in Congress. Lawmakers cited risks stemming from the Chinese government’s ability to access private data through its oversight of Chinese companies, raising concerns about espionage and disinformation.
The decision was delivered on an expedited timeline. The justices heard arguments last Friday, with many appearing convinced that the law targets TikTok’s ownership structure rather than its speech rights. TikTok attorney Noel J. Francisco acknowledged potential security risks but argued for alternative solutions, claiming the government’s actions would force the app to “go dark.”
The government presented two main justifications for the ban: addressing potential disinformation from China and preventing the Chinese government from harvesting sensitive data on Americans. While the court debated the disinformation argument, several justices expressed concerns about the risk of espionage or blackmail via TikTok’s data collection.
