TikTok has announced that it will be restoring services to over 170 million American citizens after President-elect Donald Trump gave assurance to the video platform service provider.
Donald Trump who held a victory rally on the eve of his inauguration, announced that, “As of today, TikTok is back.”
He stated that TikTok has become a major platform for creators, businesses, and influencers in the U.S. thereby suggesting an extension of the deadline for the law’s prohibitions and proposed that the U.S. take a 50% stake in a joint venture with ByteDance as a potential solution to the concerns.
Tik Tok in a post on X wrote, “In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” “We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive.”
“It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States,” the company added.
NBC News reported that following TikTok blocking its services in the U.S., Donald Trump posted to Truth Social calling for it to remain available. Trump indicated that he wanted it to be available to broadcast his inauguration on Monday.
“I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period before the law’s prohibitions take effect so that we can make a deal to protect our national security. The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order,” Trump wrote.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke