TikTok Returns to US: Trump Announces Major Decision on Inauguration Day
TikTok Back Online in the US
In a dramatic turn of events, the popular short-video platform TikTok is back online in the United States. After being temporarily blocked in the early hours of Sunday following a US Supreme Court ruling that approved a ban over national security concerns, TikTok has been restored, with the company thanking Donald Trump ahead of his inauguration. The 47th US President has also announced that he will issue a statement on the app on Monday, January 20, 2025.
Timeline of Events
- January 17: The US Supreme Court approved the law that banned TikTok due to national security concerns, citing the potential for Chinese government influence.
- January 19: TikTok stopped working in the USA, displaying a message indicating the ban. The message also mentioned that President Trump would work on a solution to reinstate the service once he takes office.
- January 19: Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he was pausing the ban on TikTok. He stated, "I'm asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark!" and revealed plans to issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period before the law's prohibitions take effect.
- January 20: TikTok announced that it is in the process of restoring services, thanking President Trump for his intervention.
US Concerns and Legal Actions
US officials had raised concerns that TikTok’s software posed a national security risk, with allegations that the Chinese government might use the app to spy on American citizens or influence public opinion. The US Congress passed a law to ban TikTok or compel its parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app to a US-approved buyer. Despite an appeal, ByteDance failed to meet the January 19th deadline to sell the app.
Trump's Intervention and Future Plans
Donald Trump said that his executive order will confirm that there will be no liability for companies that helped prevent TikTok from going dark before the order. Trump believes that Americans should be able to view the inauguration and other events on TikTok. He also indicated that he would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture with either the current or new owners. By doing so, Trump stated, the US could keep TikTok operational, under safe ownership, and make it a valuable asset.
TikTok's Response
In its statement, TikTok said, “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.”
About TikTok
TikTok is a Chinese short-form video-hosting service owned by ByteDance. It allows users to upload videos ranging from three seconds to 60 minutes and has gained immense popularity through its recommendation algorithms, connecting creators with new audiences.
Global Bans on TikTok
India banned TikTok in 2020 over misinformation concerns related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Other countries that have also banned TikTok include Afghanistan, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, France, Indonesia, Latvia, Netherlands, Nepal, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Taiwan, Somalia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
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