Beginning Sunday morning, U.S. TikTok users were greeted with a message saying “you can’t use TikTok for now,” after a law went into effect that prevented app stores and internet providers from supporting the service used by 170 million Americans.
TikTok’s parent company, China-based ByteDance, previously had the option of selling the U.S. operation, though it has held firm that it would rather shutter the app stateside.
President Joe Biden initially signed the bill that led to Sunday’s action in April. A winding court journey finally ended Friday when the Supreme Court rejected TikTok’s attempts to overturn the law. However, incoming President Donald Trump has shown support for the app and expressed a desire to allow it to continue operating in some form, possibly under new ownership.
In a post on Truth Social Sunday, Trump wrote that he will “issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security.”
He went on to say that he would like the U.S. to own 50% in a joint venture operating the app.
TikTok released the following statement Sunday: “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.”
Of the decision by Trump, the TikTok statement also said, “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.”
In the meantime, the news has numerous ramifications for the sporting world, which has increasingly used the service to reach new fans.
(This story has been updated in the fourth paragraph with Donald Trump’s post Sunday on Truth Social and the sixth and seventh paragraphs with TikTok’s statement, also released Sunday.)
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