TikTok began restoring access in the U.S. after President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to revive the app upon taking office. Speaking at a rally, Trump said, “We have to save it,” and proposed a joint venture giving the U.S. a 50% ownership stake to address national security concerns.
TikTok, previously banned over data misuse fears, thanked Trump for his efforts, stating the app’s return would benefit 170 million U.S. users and 7 million small businesses. Despite this, TikTok remained unavailable for download on app stores as of late Sunday.
China’s foreign ministry urged the U.S. to provide a fair business environment, while some Republicans opposed Trump’s intervention, citing the law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok. Republican senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts emphasized that legal conditions must be met to reinstate the app.
The ban prompted a surge in VPN searches, as users scrambled for access. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to attend Trump’s inauguration and rally. Meanwhile, ByteDance has reportedly received bids, including one from U.S. startup Perplexity AI, proposing a merger to establish a new entity.
Trump’s stance marks a shift from his earlier efforts to ban TikTok in 2020. He credited the platform with helping him win young voters in the 2024 election. Analysts estimate TikTok’s U.S. operations could be worth $50 billion, drawing interest from high-profile investors.
With U.S.-China tensions lingering, TikTok’s restoration highlights the complexities of balancing national security with economic interests.
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