TikTok is back online in the United States after a brief shutdown. The app went dark following a federal ban but resumed service after President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to prevent the app from “going dark.”
📱 What’s Happening: TikTok’s services were restored less than 24 hours after the shutdown. The company thanked President-elect Trump for providing clarity that allowed their hosting provider, Oracle, to bring the app back online. However, the app remains unavailable on Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
👥 Who Made it Happen: President-elect Donald Trump played a key role by announcing plans to issue an executive order to keep TikTok operational. TikTok expressed gratitude for his support in ensuring their service providers would not face penalties.
🔍 Why It Matters: TikTok has over 170 million American users who rely on the platform for entertainment, communication, and business. The temporary shutdown raised concerns about data security and the app’s future in the U.S.
📅 What’s Next: President-elect Trump plans to issue an executive order to delay the ban once he takes office at noon tomorrow, allowing more time to address national security concerns. Discussions about a potential sale or joint venture to increase U.S. ownership are ongoing.

B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.