TikTok restores service after 14-hour ban in US

TikTok has resumed operations in the United States after a 14-hour outage. The company announced on social media that it reached an agreement with its service providers on Sunday, ensuring the app remains accessible to over 170 million Americans and supports more than 7 million small businesses.

The ban began at 10:30 PM ET on Saturday after a federal directive led to TikTok being removed from the App Store. Apple stated that it must comply with local laws, and the responsibility for enforcing the ban fell to TikTok’s partners, including Apple, Google, and Oracle. However, TikTok’s agreement with service providers suggests enforcement has been relaxed.

President Trump played a key role in resolving the issue. He announced an executive order to extend the enforcement timeline, providing clarity and assurance to TikTok’s partners. Additionally, Trump suggested a potential joint venture where the US could hold a 50% ownership stake in TikTok.

The Biden administration had earlier indicated it would not enforce the ban, leaving the matter to the Trump administration. Despite this, TikTok temporarily went offline, a move Biden’s team labeled a “stunt.”

While TikTok services have been restored, the app is still unavailable in the App Store, and Apple has not commented on the situation. The law allows a 90-day delay for a sale if significant progress is made, but there is no evidence TikTok is moving toward such a deal.

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