TikTok Banned and Then Restored in the U.S

Since 2020, the future of TikTok in the United States has been a recurring concern. The U.S. government has long feared that the app's ties to the Chinese government could pose a national security risk. On January 19, 2025, these concerns materialized when TikTok became inaccessible in the U.S. However, in a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump reinstated access just hours later.

TikTok Initially Banned in the U.S.

The controversy surrounding TikTok's presence in the U.S. dates back to Donald Trump’s first term in office. In 2020, his administration attempted to ban the app, citing concerns that the Chinese government could exploit it to access data on American users. Additionally, TikTok's influence on public opinion and its impact on minors' safety were frequently highlighted.

Despite these concerns, the ban was lifted by President Joe Biden, who opted to further investigate the app's potential risks. However, in March 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a law requiring TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations or face an outright ban. When ByteDance refused to comply, the Supreme Court upheld the law on January 17, 2025, leading to TikTok's immediate suspension—affecting over 170 million users in the U.S.

Donald Trump Reinstates TikTok

Once an advocate for banning TikTok, Donald Trump reversed his stance during Biden's presidency. After creating his own TikTok account in 2024 and realizing the platform's influence among young voters, Trump vowed to "save TikTok." True to his word, on the day of his second inauguration, he issued an executive order suspending the ban for 90 days.

TikTok responded with gratitude, announcing that it was working to restore services in collaboration with U.S. providers and thanking President Trump for his intervention. This move sparked mixed reactions, with some questioning Trump's motivations and others celebrating the app's return.

What’s Next for TikTok in the U.S.?

Trump's executive order does not exempt TikTok from compliance with the 2024 law. Instead, it grants ByteDance a 90-day window to negotiate a sale. The former president has proposed that 50% of TikTok's ownership be transferred to American investors—a deal ByteDance has yet to publicly address.

Meanwhile, potential buyers such as Frank McCourt, owner of the Olympique de Marseille football club, and AI startup Perplexity AI have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok's U.S. operations. However, any deal would exclude TikTok's proprietary algorithm, which remains under ByteDance’s control.

China has voiced its disapproval of the U.S. decision, urging Washington to provide a fair and non-discriminatory environment for foreign businesses operating in the country.

With negotiations and political pressures mounting, TikTok’s fate in the U.S. remains uncertain.