Less than 24 hours after a nationwide service interruption, TikTok has resumed operations in the United States. The short-lived shutdown began on Saturday night when users were met with an unavailability message upon opening the app. By Sunday afternoon, TikTok announced through its official policy account on X (formerly Twitter) that it was working to restore access for its over 170 million American users and millions of small businesses relying on the platform. The company expressed gratitude for recent statements from President-elect Donald Trump, who indicated support for keeping TikTok operational.

The sudden shutdown stemmed from a new law enacted by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden, mandating that TikTok cease U.S. operations unless it divested from Chinese ownership. This legislation followed concerns about potential data security risks posed by ByteDance, TikTok's parent company. Despite these fears, TikTok has consistently denied any sharing of user data with the Chinese government, labeling such accusations as censorship against Americans.

On Sunday morning, Trump, who previously proposed banning TikTok during his first term, announced plans to issue an executive order extending the deadline for implementing the law. In a post on his Truth Social platform, he suggested a 90-day extension to facilitate negotiations ensuring national security while keeping TikTok active. He also mentioned the possibility of a joint venture allowing the U.S. to hold a significant stake in TikTok, aiming to maintain the platform's presence under secure conditions.

By early Sunday afternoon, TikTok users were able to access the app once again. The rapid restoration highlights the complex interplay between political decisions and tech platforms, underscoring the importance of balancing national security concerns with the interests of millions of users and businesses dependent on social media services.