TikTok is restarting services to its 170 million users in the US after President-elect Donald Trump said he would give the app a break when he takes office on Monday.
On Sunday the Chinese-owned app stopped serving American users, following concerns that their information could be accessed by Chinese officials.
In a statement, TikTok later said it was in the process of “restoring service” after several hours of blackout in America.
It thanked the president-elect for “providing the necessary clarity and assurance” and said they would work with Trump on “a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States”.
Posting on Truth Social, the social media platform he owns, Trump said on Sunday: “I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay in the dark! I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the time before the ban goes into effect, so we can make an agreement to protect our country’s security.”
TikTok’s parent company, Bytedance, previously flouted a law that required it to sell its US operations to avoid the ban. The law It was approved by the Supreme Court on Friday and went into effect on Sunday.
The platform is very popular among many millions of US users. It also proved an important tool for American political campaigns to reach minority voters.
Trump previously supported the banning of TikTokbut he recently said he’s a “warm spot” for the app, citing the billions of views he says his videos attracted on the platform during last year’s presidential campaign.
Under a law passed last April, the US version of the app will be removed from app stores and web hosting services.
TikTok has argued that the law violates free speech protections for its users in the country.
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