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    Updated: TikTok is now available again in the US

    TikTok users in the US were able to access the service only hours after it had removed itself just before the official start of its ban, on Saturday 18 January.
    Source: © News Nine  Sorry Tiktok is not available right now.
    Source: © News Nine News Nine Sorry Tiktok is not available right now.

    This follows statements between TikTok and President-elect Donald Trump, due to be sworn into office today.

    Trump has said he will sign an executive order to delay the banning of TikTok after his inauguration.

    He posted on Truth Social (his own social media network), "I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark. I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect so that we can make a deal to protect our national security. The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order.”

    Source: © Media Post
    Source: © Media Post Media Post

    In a statement posted on the X platform, @TikTokPolicy said it was in the process of restoring access to its US users. It states it “plans to "work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States”.

    This follows Saturday's message on the app, less than two hours before its ban was scheduled to go into place, visitors to the app were greeted with the message:

    “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”

    But the app told its 170 million US users that it might not be gone for long and could even be back as early as Monday.

    The company posted this in a pop-up message to users late Saturday night:

    “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”

    This follows President-elect Trump said he will “most likely” delay a ban on TikTok for 90 days after he takes office on Monday.

    However in an interview with NBC News on Saturday he said he has not made a final decision.

    The app was due to be banned on Sunday, 19 January following a court upholding a ban previously passed by Congress and signed into law in April by President Joe Biden.

    The law prevents American companies from hosting or serving content for the Chinese-owned social media platform unless it sells itself to a buyer from the United States or one of its allies.

    About Danette Breitenbach

    Danette Breitenbach is a marketing & media editor at Bizcommunity.com. Previously she freelanced in the marketing and media sector, including for Bizcommunity. She was editor and publisher of AdVantage, the publication that served the marketing, media and advertising industry in southern Africa. She has worked extensively in print media, mainly B2B. She has a Masters in Financial Journalism from Wits.
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