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TikTok's digital presence has been restored, but its long-term standing in the USA remains under Trump's control.

TikTok's reappearance in the U.S. market is currently a breather, but its longevity hinges on the incoming presidency of Donald Trump.

In a relaxed atmosphere, newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump took a break from his hectic...
In a relaxed atmosphere, newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump took a break from his hectic schedule to admire some fireworks at Trump National Golf Club Washington DC, located in Sterling, Virginia, on January 18, 2025.

TikTok's digital presence has been restored, but its long-term standing in the USA remains under Trump's control.

TikTok's operation in the United States was briefly halted on Sunday before resurfacing midday, lasting an intense 14 hours. The app attributed this outage to President Trump's promise to postpone enforcement of the law requiring it to separate from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a ban. Trump claimed via Truth Social that he intended to extend the period before the law's prohibitions took effect, allowing for negotiation towards securing U.S. national security.

The reassurance of avoiding penalties directed towards its tech partners like Apple, Google, and Oracle was cited as the impetus behind TikTok reinstating user access in the U.S. The company expressed gratitude towards Trump, acknowledging his "understanding" of the platform and its powerful influence. TikTok's return was met with jubilation by its 170 million American users, many of whom depend on the platform both for content and income.

Although the app's comeback is a positive development for its many fans, long-term solutions remain elusive. The law, passed with bipartisan support and signed by Joe Biden last April, stipulates that TikTok's parent company ByteDance must sell the platform to a U.S. or allied buyer due to concerns over a potential national security risk. ByteDance has thus far resisted the proposition of a sale.

Trump proposed a possible 50-50 joint venture between ByteDance and a U.S. buyer, but this approach may not resonate with those in Congress, particularly those within his own party, who have expressed concerns over foreign ownership of a popular platform. Ultimately, the app's future in the U.S. hinges on resolving these national security concerns and negotiating a suitable sale.

TikTok did not necessarily have to halt operations altogether. Rather, it chose to do so in order to put pressure on Trump to act swiftly. The law only necessitates that technology partners, such as Oracle and Apple, cease support of the app or face fines of up to $5,000 per user starting Sunday. Essentially, TikTok went dark to put the spotlight on Trump, with the hopes that restoring access could serve as an immediate political triumph for the incoming president among America's youth.

A potential buyer group led by Frank McCourt and Kevin O'Leary, among others, have submitted bids, and speculations of an Elon Musk acquisition have arisen, although these deals remain uncertain. By temporarily shutting down, ByteDance may now reconsider its stance on a sale, as more time and pressure are applied to navigate this sensitive and complex negotiation.

TikTok's business strategy in navigating the law's requirements involved seeking tech solutions, potentially collaborating with tech giants like Apple and Google to ensure continued operation. The app's temporary halt also sent a strong message, aiming to leverage its tech influence to secure a favorable outcome with President Trump.

Despite the hopes of resolving national security concerns and negotiating a sale, the long-term future of TikTok in the tech industry may still rely heavily on its ability to engage in innovative business practices and maintain its strong tech base.

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