TikTok is working again for 170 million users in the US after President-elect Donald Trump decided to give the app a temporary break from being banned. The app had stopped working on Saturday evening because of a new law that banned it for security reasons. Trump later said he would delay the ban, which allowed TikTok to start working again.

Trump promises to delay the ban

On Sunday morning, Trump, who earlier supported banning TikTok, said he would issue an executive order to delay the law. This law, passed in April, says TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, must sell its US operations or be removed from app stores and hosting platforms.

After Trump’s announcement, TikTok started working again that same day. The company thanked Trump in a statement for giving “the necessary clarity and assurance.” A message also appeared on the app for users, mentioning the president-elect by name.

Why TikTok stopped working

TikTok stopped working on Saturday night when the new law was enforced. The app was also removed from app stores like Apple and Google, as well as hosting platforms, to follow the law. TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, said the ban went against users’ free speech rights and took the matter to the Supreme Court.

Last week, the Supreme Court decided to uphold the ban, with both Democrats and Republicans in Congress agreeing on it. Even though TikTok is back now, there are still legal questions about its future in the US.

Criticism from Trump’s own party

Trump’s decision to delay the TikTok ban caused disagreements within his party. Marco Rubio, whom Trump chose to be the next Secretary of State, supports banning TikTok. Last April, Rubio said, “TikTok extended the Chinese Communist Party’s power and influence into our own nation, right under our noses.”

However, when recently asked if he supports Trump’s delay of the ban, Rubio said, “If I’m confirmed as secretary of state, I’ll work for the president.”

Senator Tom Cotton, who leads the Senate Intelligence Committee, disagreed with Trump’s decision. Cotton warned that any company helping TikTok stay online could face serious legal trouble. On social media, he wrote, “Any company that hosts, distributes, services, or otherwise facilitates communist-controlled TikTok could face hundreds of billions of dollars of ruinous liability under the law.”

Legal challenges for TikTok

Just because TikTok is working again doesn’t mean the legal fight is over. Trump said he would protect companies that help TikTok from legal trouble, but it’s still unclear if the app can legally stay online.

Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond, said the president can delay the ban for up to 90 days if TikTok makes progress on fixing security concerns. However, he noted, “It’s not clear whether those conditions have been met.”

In the Supreme Court hearings, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar explained that an executive order can’t change a law after it has already been passed. Justice Sonia Sotomayor agreed, saying, “Whatever the new president does, it doesn’t change that reality for these companies.”

Though TikTok is accessible for now, uncertainty surrounds its long-term availability in the US. Professor Tobias advised that Trump should work with Congress to resolve the issue. “The best thing Trump could do is work with Congress and not potentially be in violation of the law or have any questions left hanging,” he said.

States have also sued the platform, raising the possibility of local bans even if TikTok is available nationally.
TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms in the US, with a massive following among younger users. Many political campaigns use the app to reach voters. Despite its challenges, the app continues to serve as a powerful tool for connecting with people.

For now, TikTok’s users can enjoy the platform while its future remains uncertain. More clarity is expected when Trump issues his executive order. Professor Tobias concluded, “I don’t know that we’re going to know a whole lot more until we see that executive order.”