TikTok has resumed operations in the United States after a brief shutdown. The app became inaccessible on January 18, 2025, following the enforcement of a federal law requiring its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations by January 19 or face a ban.
This action was taken due to national security concerns over data privacy and potential Chinese government surveillance.In response to the shutdown, President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to issue an executive order on January 20, his inauguration day, to delay the ban’s enforcement by 90 days. This extension aims to provide ByteDance additional time to address ownership and data privacy issues, potentially allowing TikTok to continue its U.S. operations.
Following this announcement, TikTok began restoring its services on January 19, less than 24 hours after the shutdown.Despite the restoration, TikTok’s long-term future in the U.S. remains uncertain. The 90-day extension offers a window for ByteDance to negotiate terms that satisfy U.S. regulatory concerns, which may include restructuring ownership or implementing stringent data protection measures to ensure American user data is stored and managed within the United States.As the situation evolves, TikTok users and creators are advised to stay informed and consider diversifying their online presence to mitigate potential disruptions. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether TikTok can navigate the complex landscape of international relations and data privacy to continue serving its dedicated U.S. community.