TikTok has restored its services in the US after a 12-hour shutdown due to a new law that banned the app. The social media platform welcomed users back on Sunday, with many Americans now able to access the app.
The law, which took effect at midnight, prohibits users from accessing TikTok through app stores like Apple and Google unless parent company ByteDance sells itself to an owner not controlled by a country considered adversarial by the US. However, President Donald Trump has indicated that he will work with TikTok on a solution once he takes office.
Trump said he would issue an executive order to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect and confirmed that there would be no liability for companies that helped keep TikTok from going dark. The president also expressed his desire to see TikTok become a joint venture with 50% American ownership.
Despite Trump’s assurances, some lawmakers have questioned whether he will have the authority to make good on these promises. Republican Sens. Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts stated that there is no legal basis for an extension of the law’s effective date.
The shutdown resulted from Oracle’s announcement that it would begin shutting down servers hosting TikTok’s data as early as 9:00 p.m. ET on Saturday. However, the outcry from users and TikTok’s backers forced President Joe Biden to respond, although it remains to be seen whether his administration will enforce the law.
If Trump succeeds in finding a way around the ban, one of the biggest winners could be Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who owns Instagram. Analysts estimate that 60-70% of TikTok spend could move to Instagram if TikTok is forced offline.
Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tiktok-restores-service-after-going-dark-in-us-crediting-trumps-clarity-050602166.html