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TikTok Ban Rollercoaster: What’s Next?

By Crystal Crowder
TikTok ban logo

To the disappointment of millions, the TikTok ban went into effect on January 19, 2025. Even though the Biden administration attempted to stop the ban until the next administration, the Supreme Court ruled the ban would proceed. But, TikTok isn’t done just yet.

TikTok Ban Begins and Ends… Temporarily

Admittedly, I don’t really use TikTok, but many of my friends and family do. At 12 AM on the 19th, I started getting texts that TikTok was officially dark and they didn’t even know what to do with their phones anymore.

In my local area alone, many small businesses were terrified about the ban and what it would do to their businesses. For some, it was their main and most effective marketing tool, working far better than Facebook, Instagram, and X. So, it’s understandable that people all over the United States were dismayed to see the TikTok ban actually happen.

But, in less than 12 hours after the ban began, it started to lift. TikTok credits the change with Donald Trump vowing to restore access on the 20th after he takes office. This is also why the Biden administration had tried to stop the ban to allow Trump to make a final decision in whether the app stayed or disappeared for US users.

My friends always sent me TikTok videos and I viewed them in my mobile browser since I didn’t use the app. I still had a tab loaded in my browser and first noticed TikTok working when I opened my browser. But, when I checked the Google Play Store, the app itself still isn’t available. A quick text to my friends and they confirmed the app is back up and running.

TikTok ban message in the Google Play Store.

Trump Reverses Decision, Giving TikTok a Reprieve

Back in 2020, Trump wanted TikTok banned and it took until January 19, 2025 for that to happen. Now, he’s flip-flopped and reversed his decision after seeing just how many individuals and businesses would be affected.

However, to continue the TikTok ban rollercoaster, this reprieve is only temporary. The app still hasn’t been sold to a US owner, though rumors mention talks between China and Elon Musk. Recently, Trump offered to give TikTok 90 more days to reach an agreement with a US-based company. His terms involve a 50-percent joint venture with the US, which could help improve US and China relations, even if it’s just a tiny partnership.

The future of TikTok still faces two major hurdles. First, ByteDance and China have to agree to selling the app, at least in part. Second, Republicans aren’t thrilled about this change. The ban originally passed with majority support, meaning both Republicans and Democrats are supportive of it.

Republican representatives Pete Ricketts and Tom Cotton have both spoken out that the law should be upheld without an extension and TikTok shouldn’t come back online until a deal has been reached.

For now, you can keep enjoying TikTok, but don’t uninstall it. At the time of writing, it still isn’t available for download, though you can access it on the web if necessary.

TikTok site loaded in browser as ban is temporarily lifted.
TikTok in my browser after the ban is lifted.

At the very least, you have three more months before a final decision is made. Of course, if it is banned, there are a few ways around it. Or, check out TikTok alternatives.

Image credit: Unsplash

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Crystal Crowder Avatar
Crystal Crowder
Crystal Crowder has spent over 15 years working in the tech industry, first as an IT technician and then as a writer. She works to help teach others how to get the most from their devices, systems, and apps. She stays on top of the latest trends and is always finding solutions to common tech problems.

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