In a surprise move, TikTok is expected to be available to some US users once again after President-elect Donald Trump announced he would sign an executive order to delay a federal ban on the app. The order is set to be signed on Monday, following a statement from X, the company’s parent organization, stating they are working with service providers to restore service to over 170 million American users and 7 million small businesses.
The ban was set to take effect on Sunday, but some users were still able to access the platform through their mobile apps and desktops. The move comes after Trump wrote on his social media app Truth Social that he would issue an executive order to extend the period of time before the ban takes effect.
In a statement, TikTok praised Trump’s decision, saying it is a “strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.” They also expressed gratitude for Trump’s “necessary clarity and assurance” to service providers, which will allow them to continue supporting the app without fear of penalty.
However, the company’s future remains uncertain under current laws. The Supreme Court had previously ruled in favor of a law that would ban TikTok and penalize third-party internet service providers if they continued to support the app on their platforms. Trump has also stated that he would like the US to take a 50% stake in TikTok, but ByteDance has remained firm in its decision not to sell the company.
In the meantime, the situation remains uncertain, leaving users to wonder what the outcome will be for the popular social media platform.