TikTok Reemerges in the USA after Trump Pledges to Postpone Ban
TikTok was back in the hands of American users on Sunday, following President-elect Donald Trump's pledge to delay a ban on the platform. The app went dark for U.S. users late on Saturday in anticipation of a law that was due to take effect on January 19, just hours before Trump's inauguration.
On Sunday, TikTok's service providers and the social media platform itself announced that they were in the midst of restoring the app. They thanked Trump for providing clarity and assurance that they would not face any penalties for continued operations in the U.S. TikTok even hailed the move as a win for free speech and a blow against arbitrary censorship.
Trump himself confirmed on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he would be issuing an executive order to delay the ban's enforcement, allowing time for negotiations to potentially keep the popular app in operation. The motivation behind Trump's intervention seemed twofold: he wanted to ensure that Americans could witness his inauguration on Monday and, perhaps more crucially, that he could profit from a potential sale or stake in TikTok.
In an indication of the financial potential involved, Trump hinted that if a deal could be reached, TikTok would be worth "hundreds of billions, maybe trillions." In a transactional fashion that has become synonymous with his dealings, Trump appeared to hint at a 50% ownership stake in TikTok for the U.S., although no details were provided.
Enrichment Data (Selected Use):In response to the looming TikTok ban, President-elect Trump signed an executive order on January 20, ensuring a 75-day reprieve. This order aimed to delay the ban's enforcement and provide time for negotiations to take place, addressing national security concerns. The attorney general was instructed to postpone enforcing the Act during this period, while preserving the divestiture requirement as a future requirement. An agreement, potentially involving U.S. ownership of 50%, may have the potential to be financially lucrative, with TikTok being valued at "hundreds of billions, maybe trillions."
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TikTok, under the ownership of ByteDance, took to Twitter to express its gratitude towards President Trump for ensuring its continued operation in the U.S. The social media app praised President Trump's decision as an "important step for free speech" and a defense against censorship.
In the warning post for U.S. users when they tried to access the app on Saturday night, TikTok had commended Trump's stance and observed that the incoming administration showed its support for free speech and fair business practices. TikTok emphasized its commitment to following U.S. laws and regulations while protecting its user data and intellectual property.
Republican Senator Tom Cotton from Arkansas, who had earlier called for Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon to remove TikTok from their app stores, expressed his dissatisfaction with the turn of events. However, Senator Cotton acknowledged that the executive branch, responsible for enforcing the TikTok ban legislation, might choose not to enact the ban given Trump's decision.
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Enrichment Data (Paragraph Adjustments and Revised Sentences):On Saturday night, TikTok addressed its U.S. users with a statement on Twitter. In the warning post, TikTok praised the incoming administration for its stand on free speech and fair business practices. The ByteDance-owned app emphasized its commitment to following U.S. laws and regulations while protecting user data and intellectual property.
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Enrichment Data (Revised Sentences):In the warning post for U.S. users, TikTok commended the U.S. administration for its support of free speech and fair business practices. The ByteDance-owned app emphasized its adherence to U.S. laws and regulations while prioritizing user data and intellectual property protection.
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Enrichment Data (Flow and Coherence):TikTok addressed its U.S. users on Saturday night with a statement praising the incoming administration. The warning post stressed that TikTok was committed to following U.S. laws, protecting user data, and upholding intellectual property.
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Enrichment Data (Context Limits):On Saturday night, TikTok addressed its U.S. users with a statement on Twitter and addressed their concerns about the function of the app in light of the executive ban order. In the statement, TikTok commended the U.S. administration and emphasized its adherence to U.S. laws, user privacy, and intellectual property protection.
In the wake of the potential TikTok ban, the social media platform expressed gratitude to President Trump for ensuring its continuity in the United States. They viewed his decision as a significant boost for free speech and a protective measure against censorship.
Emphasizing this technological development, TikTok also highlighted its commitment to abide by American laws, safeguard user data, and safeguard its intellectual property, further strengthening its presence in the U.S. tech landscape.
