TikTok's service was briefly interrupted for U.S. users after a federal law banned the platform. This law required ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, to sell its U.S. operations. However, President-elect Donald Trump intervened by promising to issue an executive order that would delay the ban and give ByteDance more time to negotiate a potential sale, as reported by AP News on January 20, 2025.

The ban took effect on Saturday evening, causing TikTok to temporarily shut down. Users trying to access the app saw a message stating, "Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now." The app was also removed from app stores like Apple and Google, and TikTok's U.S. operations were in limbo. However, TikTok restored service hours later, thanks to Trump’s executive order. The company expressed gratitude for the support, specifically thanking Trump for his actions, which allowed users to regain access to the app.

Jasmine Enberg, an analyst at eMarketer, noted that the shutdown was a marketing stunt. By briefly taking the platform offline, TikTok demonstrated how unpopular the ban was among its users. This move also put pressure on lawmakers, particularly given TikTok’s popularity, which has garnered millions of American users.

The legal and political context behind this situation stems from national security concerns, as the U.S. government believes TikTok could be used to gather user data by the Chinese government. A new law, passed in April, required ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations by Sunday. The statute authorized Trump to grant a 90-day extension if a viable sale was in progress, and his executive order was seen as an attempt to extend the timeline.

While some lawmakers, including Republicans like Sen. Tom Cotton, support the ban, others, including Trump, have shown a willingness to find a compromise. However, the legal situation remains uncertain. Constitutional lawyer Kirk McGill believes Trump’s executive order may face legal challenges, but it could be effective in buying TikTok more time to explore a sale.

Trump’s intervention also highlighted the political complexities surrounding TikTok. He has previously used the platform to appeal to younger voters, and it remains to be seen whether the platform can continue to operate in the U.S. under these new restrictions. Additionally, TikTok’s popularity and its ability to evade a complete ban reflect the platform’s significant cultural and political impact.

As for potential buyers, there is no clear candidate, although some companies, such as the AI startup Perplexity AI, have made offers. However, ByteDance has insisted it will not sell the app, and it remains unclear how these negotiations will unfold in the coming months.

PHOTO: NBCNEWS