By : Lloyd Mahachi
TikTok is back online in the US, thanks to a surprise pledge from President-elect Donald Trump. The Chinese-owned app had stopped working for American users on Saturday evening, after a law banning it on national security grounds came into effect.
The law, which was passed last April, required TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell its US operations to avoid a ban. Despite this, Trump promised to issue an executive order on Monday to delay the implementation of the law, allowing more time for a deal to be made.
This move has been seen as an about-face from Trump’s previous position, where he had backed a ban on the platform. Trump had previously expressed concerns about the potential national security risks posed by TikTok, citing its Chinese ownership.
However, during his presidential campaign, Trump appeared to soften his stance on TikTok, even accepting digital assets as donations. His administration is expected to take a more crypto-friendly approach, with the appointment of David Sacks as the incoming AI and crypto tsar.
TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday, fueling speculation about a potential deal. The company has thanked Trump for providing “the necessary clarity and assurance” and has expressed its willingness to work with him on a long-term solution to keep TikTok in the US.
The issue has exposed a rift between Trump and members of his own party, with some lawmakers expressing concerns about the national security implications of allowing TikTok to operate in the US. Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton has warned that companies that help TikTok stay online could face significant liability.
Despite these concerns, Trump’s pledge has been seen as a lifeline for TikTok, which has become a wildly popular platform among American users. The app has also proven to be a valuable tool for political campaigns, allowing them to reach younger voters.
TikTok’s popularity in the US has been astronomical, with over 170 million users in the country. The app has become a cultural phenomenon, with many users creating and sharing content on the platform.
However, the situation remains murky, with questions surrounding the legality of Trump’s executive order and the potential for companies to face liability for supporting TikTok. University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias has noted that the law does include a provision allowing the president to postpone the ban for up to 90 days, but it’s unclear whether the conditions for this have been met.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: TikTok’s fate in the US remains uncertain. Will Trump’s pledge be enough to keep the platform online, or will concerns about national security ultimately prevail? Only time will tell.
The implications of Trump’s pledge are far-reaching, with potential consequences for the broader tech industry. As the US continues to grapple with the challenges posed by emerging technologies, one thing is clear: the relationship between tech and politics is becoming increasingly complex.
In the meantime, TikTok users in the US can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that their favorite app is back online. However, the long-term fate of the platform remains uncertain, and only time will tell what the future holds for TikTok in the US.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi
