TikTok restores service to US, thanks Trump

The video-sharing platform TikTok has restored its service in the United States after President-elect Donald Trump announced he would revive the app’s access upon his return to power on Monday.

In an interview with NBC, Trump said he might give TikTok 90 more days to work out a deal that would allow the platform to avoid a US ban.

However, Media Talk Africa earlier reported that TikTok had stopped working in the US late on Saturday night and disappeared from Apple and Google app stores.

The disappearance occurred ahead of a law that takes effect on Sunday (today), requiring the shutdown of the app.

By Sunday evening, some US users reported being able to access the Chinese-owned service’s website, while the TikTok app itself began coming back online for some users, albeit with limited functionality.

Earlier, TikTok released a statement saying, “In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service.”

The company also expressed gratitude to 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.”