TikTok Unleashed: What’s New & Next in the World of Short-Form Video

Key Points:

• TikTok is currently reinstating its service in the US after a 14-hour outage due to a federal ban.
• The company has reached an agreement with its service providers to ignore the ban, citing a lack of enforcement.
• President Trump has announced that he will issue an executive order to extend the period before the law’s prohibitions take effect.

As of Saturday night, TikTok went dark in the United States, following a federal ban. The short-form video-sharing app, with over 170 million users in the country, removed itself from the App Store, stating that it was "obligated to follow the laws in the jurisdictions where it operates." Concerns over national security and censorship led to the ban, with the Biden administration largely deferring responsibility to the Trump administration.

In a statement, TikTok acknowledged the ban but announced that it was working with its service providers to "restoring service." The company expressed gratitude to President Trump for providing "necessary clarity" to partners, which would ensure they would "face no penalties" for restoring access to the service.

What’s Next?

President Trump has announced that he will issue an executive order to extend the period before the law’s prohibitions take effect, aiming to make a deal to protect national security. He has also floated the idea of a joint venture, where the United States would hold a 50% stake in TikTok, effectively saving the app and allowing it to continue operating.

The move comes after a "person close to TikTok" revealed that the Biden administration’s statements about non-enforcement did not reassure web-host providers, such as Oracle and Akamai. However, President Trump’s statement today has won them over, paving the way for TikTok’s return.

For now, it’s unclear what the next steps will be. Apple and Google, major players in the tech industry, are not part of this development, suggesting that the app will not return to the App Store or Play Store immediately.

As we await further updates, here’s what you can do: stay informed about TikTok’s status and any potential developments, and, if you’re an iPhone user, check for updates on the app’s availability in the coming days.

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