TikTok is “restoring service” for users in the United States after a brief “blackout,” the app announced on Sunday, January 19 in a statement shared on social media. “In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service.”
“We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will not face sanctions, bringing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and enabling over 7 million small businesses to thrive,” the statement continued. “This is a strong position 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.”
On Friday, January 17, the Supreme Court issued an act unanimous decision to uphold the Protecting Americans from Apps Controlled by Foreign Enemies Act, which banned the app nationwide.
“I join in all but part II.A of the Court’s per curiam opinion. I see no reason to assume without deciding that the statute implicates the First Amendment because our precedent leaves no doubt that it does,” Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in her ruling. “TikTok engages in expressive activity by ‘compiling and curating’ material on its platform.”
The app stopped working for users in the United States a few hours before midnight on Saturday, January 18. Before and for several hours during the blackout, many celebrities spoke about the ban.
Singer Kesha jokingly they reminded their followers that her 2010 hit single “Tik Tok” will always be available to them, no matter what happened to the app of the same name. In a video shared via Instagram on Saturday, January 18, the singer wore a black hoodie and closed her eyes as part of her 2010 hit song played. Above the video, she wrote: “TikTok may be temporary, but TiK ToK is forever,” adding both a peace sign and a black heart emoji. The song was an instant hit when it debuted, spending nine weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Kylie Kells also commented about the impending ban. “There’s something that’s been weighing heavily on me the last few days,” Kelce told the January 16th episode from her “I Won’t Lie” podcast. “Looks like my favorite app, TikTok, might actually be gone forever. Let’s hope it doesn’t and I’ll be able to scroll until the end of time. But just in case, I want to properly pour one for TikTok.
“I think everybody loses” Mark D’Amelio said at ABC News Studios IMPACT x Nightline special from May 2024 “I think small business is losing out. I think the politicians are losing too.”
Mark and his wife, Heidi D’Amelioare the parents of social media professionals Dixie and Charliewhose online dances went viral in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“We didn’t call ourselves the first family of TikTok,” Mark, 56, added in the ABC News special. “It’s hard to believe that many people sat and watched a video. I think the ability to turn someone who’s obscure into a celebrity overnight, I don’t think there’s another platform like it.”
