TikTok is already back online in the US after less than a day, with ByteDance thanking President-elect Trump for ‘providing the necessary clarity and assurance’ it can keep running

And just like that, TikTok is back online. The popular short video app went dark in the US on the night of January 18 following a ban on the app being upheld by the US Supreme Court. TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, says it has been in communication with the incoming Trump administration, and feels confident enough in its policy stance to reinstate access in the United States.

“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” the company wrote in a post on Twitter. “We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive.

“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.”

Anecdotally, I can confirm access to the app from the United States just an hour after TikTok shared its statement. President-elect Trump shared his own statement on the matter a half-hour prior to TikTok’s on Truth Social, the right wing alternative to Twitter owned by Trump Media & Technology Group.

“I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark,” Trump truthed in a truth on Truth Social. “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.”

This is a developing story