TikTok is making a swift return online following President-elect Donald Trump's announcement to sign an executive order delaying the US ban on the app once he assumes office. Just 12 hours after initially going offline, US users are starting to regain access to TikTok through web browsers and the app, although a warning about the shutdown still appears on the page.
The sequence of events leading up to this development began late Saturday night when TikTok became inaccessible to Americans, displaying a message stating the app was offline due to the ban, which was confirmed by the Supreme Court on Friday. Users were urged to 'stay tuned' for further updates.
TikTok's decision to completely shut down the app, as previously indicated by the company, concluded a period of uncertainty that had lasted for several weeks. This move significantly disrupted the routines of TikTok's 170 million American users, many of whom rely on the app daily for news, entertainment, community engagement, and even as a source of income.
The law mandating the app's shutdown in the US on Sunday unless it severed ties with Chinese ownership empowered the president to delay enforcement by 90 days through an executive order. Trump's intention to issue this order was made clear earlier today, with the plan set to be executed once he assumes office on Monday.
