TikTok has resumed some online services in the United States after a roughly 12-hour outage, but it is still not available for download on the App Store. TikTok said Sunday afternoon that it was “working to restore service” and thanked President-elect Trump for providing clarity.
Earlier, TikTok was blocked just before the federal ban took effect, with users seeing a message that said it was “temporarily unavailable.” The service began to recover on mobile apps and the web around noon Sunday. The restored app displays the message, “Thanks to President Trump, TikTok is back.”
After taking office, Trump issued an executive order extending the deadline for TikTok’s sale. He also said he would hold companies that supported the service before the ban ineffective legally harmless. TikTok’s main service providers, Oracle and Akamai, reportedly restored their services based on Trump’s promise.
However, TikTok is still not available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. App stores do not provide services to TikTok due to the ban, and violations can result in huge fines.
TikTok told advertisers that it would lift some restrictions on advertising campaigns, saying the service would be available to “most U.S. users.” But TikTok’s return has drawn backlash from Republican lawmakers. Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts have praised the major tech companies for complying with the ban, emphasizing that there is no legal basis for extending it.
TikTok has offered to work with Trump to restore service, sending a flattering message to him, while also expressing strong support for the First Amendment and its opposition to censorship. The company has said it will work with Trump to find a long-term solution, but it’s unclear whether TikTok will ever fully return.
