TikTok restores service in the U.S. after federal ban disruption

TikTok said Sunday it was restoring service to users in the United States after the popular video-sharing platform went dark in response to a federal ban that President-elect Donald Trump said he would try to pause by executive order on his first day in office.

SKIP TO: RedNote | CapCut | TikTok Wrapped | What is the ban about? | Who will buy TikTok?

Here's everything you need to know about the app right now: 

Can Trump save TikTok?

What we know:

TikTok thanked President-elect Donald Trump, who on Sunday said he planned to sign an executive order after his inauguration on Monday to give TikTok's China-based parent company more time to find an approved buyer before the popular video-sharing platform is subject to a permanent U.S.ban.

It was not immediately clear whether TikTok was working as it did before the company instituted a blackout late Saturday. Some users reported that the app was working, and TikTok’s website appeared to be functioning for at least some users. However, the app remained unavailable for download on Apple’s app store.

Google and Apple removed the app from their digital stores to comply with a federal law that required them to do so if TikTok parent company ByteDance didn’t sell its U.S. operation by Sunday. The law, which passed with wide bipartisan support in April, allowed for steep fines for non-compliance.

TikTok said Trump's promise of an executive order had provided "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."

Trump told NBC News on Saturday that if decides to grand such an extension, it would "probably" be announced Monday after he is sworn in as president. 

What time is TikTok shutting down?

TikTok is scheduled to go dark at midnight on Sunday, Jan.19th.  

What happens when/if TikTok goes dark?

If TikTok is banned, users will reportedly see a pop-up message directing them to a website with ban-related information according to a report from Reuters.. "We go dark. Essentially, the platform shuts down," TikTok lawyer Noel Francisco said to the Supreme Court.

Reports suggest TikTok could quickly restore service if the ban is reversed, but the specifics are unclear.

App stores like Apple and Google will reportedly no longer offer it for download in the U.S. Existing users can continue using the app, but without updates, its functionality will degrade over time.

What is TikTok graveyard?

TikTok Graveyard, a unique website created by developer Locket Labs, Inc., offers users a nostalgic glimpse into their TikTok past. The site allows users to generate a personalized TikTok tombstone and download a copy of their data from the app. 

On Friday, TikTok urged the Biden administration for "a definitive statement" to ensure it would not enforce the law or penalize app store operators like Apple and Google if TikTok remains available. The company warned that without assurances, it would be "forced to go dark" but did not specify whether it would voluntarily shut down at midnight or halt operations due to lack of service-provider access.

The White House dismissed TikTok's plea as "a stunt," but neither Apple, Google, nor Oracle—the host of TikTok’s data—have disclosed their plans for Sunday.

The backstory:

What is the TikTok ban about?

Last year, Congress passed a law, signed by President Biden, requiring TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations within nine months for national security reasons. The law allows the sitting president to grant extensions if a sale is underway.

On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Ed Markey proposed a 270-day extension for ByteDance to divest TikTok, but Republican Senator Tom Cotton blocked the motion.

By the numbers:

Who might buy TikTok?

Several high-profile bidders have shown interest in acquiring TikTok:

  • Frank McCourt: The billionaire real estate mogul, with backing from investor Kevin O’Leary, aims to restructure TikTok using open-source protocols to enhance user control over digital identities.
  • Steven Mnuchin: The former Treasury Secretary has expressed interest in forming a group to purchase TikTok, though details remain scarce.
  • Other rumored buyers include Tesla CEO Elon Musk, YouTube creator MrBeast, and former Blizzard-Activision CEO Bobby Kotick.

Why you should care:

Will CapCut also be banned?

CapCut, a creative AI-powered platform also owned by ByteDance, may face scrutiny. Originally released in 2019 as JianYing, it rebranded as CapCut in 2020 for international markets and has become a popular video-editing tool across various devices.

What is RedNote?

Content creators are taking steps to save their content, such as downloading their data and exploring alternative platforms. 

Several petitions have been created in efforts to stop the ban like one titled "Stop the TikTok Ban!" that's gained over 390,000 signatures on Change.org. 

Meanwhile, apps like RedNote (known as "Little Red Book") and Clapper are gaining popularity as alternatives. RedNote recently topped Apple’s U.S. app store, blending e-commerce with short-form videos.

Can TikTok be saved?

The future of TikTok hangs in the balance. 

If Trump grants an extension or the ban is reversed, TikTok could avoid going dark. 

For now, creators and users are bracing for the worst while diversifying their digital presence.

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