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TikTok Ban in U.S. Reversed After 24-Hour Shutdown, Users React to Uncertain Future
TikTok was briefly banned in the U.S. over security concerns, with Trump stepping in to restore access. Some creators remain uncertain about the app's future and ownership.
ND
by News Desk
2025-01-20
TikTok Ban in U.S. Reversed After 24-Hour Shutdown, Users React to Uncertain Future

For the first time in five years, millions of TikTok users in the United States were left in limbo Saturday night when the app was abruptly shut down due to a law taking effect over national security concerns. The shutdown lasted less than 24 hours, however, when President-elect Donald Trump intervened to reverse the decision, allowing U.S. access to resume Sunday afternoon.

Despite the restoration, many users who had grown accustomed to TikTok as part of their daily routine were left wondering whether life would ever return to normal. The brief hiatus led to an outpouring of emotional posts, with some users posting heartfelt goodbyes and others thanking Trump for his actions. On social media site X, many expressed relief but also unease over the uncertainty that the situation had triggered.

"I think we're back, but at what cost?" one user posted on TikTok, reflecting the mixed feelings among the app's community.

This latest twist in TikTok’s tumultuous relationship with the U.S. government marks a significant shift in Trump’s stance on the app. In 2020, during his first term, Trump sought to ban TikTok, citing concerns that the Chinese-owned company, ByteDance, could be sharing personal data of U.S. users with the Chinese government. The proposed ban was blocked in the courts, but concerns remained about the app’s operations in the U.S.

A Reversal of Policy and Ownership Talks
Trump’s decision to keep TikTok operational comes after he credited the app with helping him connect with young voters during the 2024 election. This was a sharp contrast to his previous stance, which called for its shutdown for national security reasons.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump indicated that the U.S. government might take a 50% ownership stake in a joint venture to protect national security. "I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture," Trump wrote, signaling a potential restructuring of the app’s ownership, but leaving many users concerned about the future direction of TikTok.

“I think about when Elon Musk bought Twitter and how dramatically it changed,” said Kelly Sites, a part-time content creator from Kansas City. “I don’t want the magic of TikTok’s algorithm to change,” Sites added, expressing fear that the platform could lose its unique charm if its operations shifted too drastically. TikTok's algorithm, regarded as a core part of its success, has long been a source of intrigue and speculation. While ByteDance has shown little interest in parting with the app’s algorithm, the proposed changes have raised concerns among creators who fear the app could evolve in a way they don't recognize.

Economic and Emotional Impact on Creators
For some users, TikTok isn't just a source of entertainment, but a livelihood. Richard "Chuck" Fasulo, an auto influencer from New York with 400,000 followers, credited the platform with significantly boosting his income. “TikTok helped me get out of debt and take my family on vacation for the first time,” Fasulo explained, noting how close he had come to losing his business opportunities when the ban seemed imminent.

Fasulo was not alone in his worries. Many creators rely on TikTok for their income, and the shutdown posed a potential disaster for them. "I think this is a sad time in history," Fasulo continued. “My trust in the U.S. government will never be the same.”

For others, the priority was clear: “I would choose a political stunt over losing TikTok forever,” said Charlotte Warren, a dating and relationships content creator from Austin. Warren said she would have lost over $60,000 in annual income and 200,000 followers if the app had remained banned.

Despite concerns over ownership and algorithm changes, for now, TikTok’s U.S. users can breathe a sigh of relief. The app’s continued existence in the U.S. marks a crucial moment in the ongoing debate over security, data privacy, and the future of global tech companies.

 
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