Following a temporary halt, TikTok rapidly resumed its operations in the United States. The social media platform, which boasts an estimated 170 million American users, had ceased functioning on January 18th due to a national security law that mandated its suspension. However, with incoming President Donald Trump's pledge to issue an executive order granting TikTok a reprieve upon his inauguration, the app quickly returned to normal service.

A day before taking office, Trump announced plans to delay the implementation of the ban, providing additional time for negotiations. In response, TikTok promptly initiated the process of restoring access for its users. Shortly thereafter, the app was back online, and a message popped up on users' screens expressing gratitude to Trump by name. The company issued a statement thanking the incoming president for offering necessary clarity and assurances, and pledged to collaborate on a long-term solution to ensure TikTok's continued presence in the United States.

The original ban on TikTok was initiated by Trump in 2020 over concerns about national security. More recently, a law signed by President Joe Biden in April 2024 required ByteDance, the China-based parent company of TikTok, to divest ownership of the app to a non-Chinese entity by January 19th or face a shutdown. This latest development underscores the complex interplay between technology, policy, and international relations, highlighting the importance of finding mutually beneficial solutions that protect both security interests and digital innovation.