Social media application TitTok on Sunday said it was in the process of restoring service in the United States and thanked President-elect Donald Trump for providing “necessary clarity and assurance”.
The statement came hours after the app suspended its operations in the US to comply with the Biden dispensation’s ban order.
“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties for providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive,” the application wrote on X.
The company said it would work with Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the US.
“It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States,” the statement further read.
The social media app discontinued its services in the US after Congress enacted legislation, signed by President Joe Biden last year, mandated TikTok’s Chinese parent company to divest its US operations to an approved purchaser within nine months. The legislation also barred internet hosting services and mobile app marketplaces from making TikTok available to American users.
Shortly before the ban was implemented, Trump indicated his inclination to provide TikTok with an additional 90 days for deal negotiations, potentially averting the app’s prohibition in the United States.
Speaking to NBC News, Trump expressed that whilst he had not reached a definitive conclusion, he was contemplating offering TikTok a temporary relief following his assumption of office on Monday.
Additionally, The New York Times reported Shou Zi Chew that the chief executive of TikTok has received an invitation to the presidential inauguration ceremony, where they will be seated in “a position of honour”.