After five years of constant back-and-forth in court, TikTok was finally banned in the US on January 18, only to be unbanned 12 hours later. The executive order seeking to ban TikTok, first issued by President Trump in August of 2020, quickly gained a lot of attention. When the Biden administration took over the legal battle, the fate of the app was still undecided, with many potential bans and appeals for regulations in question. In 2025 the ban finally took effect, surprising millions of US users who have gotten used to hearing the unfulfilled threat that the app would be removed. However, users were even more shocked when the next day the app was once again up and running.

So, how exactly was TikTok unbanned and how did its users, creators, and policymakers play a role in its return?

Why was TikTok banned?

The US government has claimed that TikTok poses a national security threat because it is owned by the Chinese company, ByteDance. Officials expressed concern over the vast amount of personal data the app collects, including location, browsing history, and device information. They claimed that due to China’s laws that require companies to share data with the government if requested, the country could easily gain access to the personal information of American users. Some critics feared that the Chinese government could use such data for surveillance and espionage purposes. Additionally, some worried that the platform could be used to spread Chinese propaganda or sensor content that contradicts the Chinese communist government’s interests. Due to these claims, Congress passed legislation to ban the app unless it was sold to an American or government-approved buyer. President Biden signed the legislation into law, giving ByteDance until January 19 to sell the media platform. As we know, the company did not fold before the deadline and TikTok was indeed banned. 

However, many users and even certain legislators have questioned whether a security threat is the true reason behind the movement to get rid of the app. So far, there has been no evidence of the Chinese government accessing users’ data and TikTok has denied all such allegations, trying to distance itself from ByteDance. Since the investigation on the app has mainly been based on speculation, people have started to wonder whether the ban was due to biased judgment. Users have suspected that the government wanted to remove the app to eliminate a platform that is used to connect people from around the world, share global news, and criticize political decisions. Many have even considered the government’s efforts an act against the First Amendment and fear that they have set the stage for future censorship of information received online.

What did the ban mean for its users?

The ban was heavily opposed by users, both content creators and content consumers. Influencers who rely on TikTok for their brand-building and income would face challenges, as many make a living through brand partnerships, sponsored posts, and TikTok's Creator Fund. Many brands also use the app for advertising and reaching younger audiences. A ban would have forced businesses to shift their marketing budgets to other platforms like Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts. Furthermore, companies that rely on TikTok influencers to reach younger demographics would need to find new ways to connect with their target audiences. The ban would especially endanger small businesses that promote their products on the app and sell them on TikTok’s shop function.

Users would also miss out on the rapid flow of viral content and the sense of global connection that TikTok offers. The social media platform has become the primary source for setting new trends, especially in music, dance, and challenges. Its absence would likely leave a gap that other platforms would try to fill, but none would fully replicate TikTok's unique algorithm and engagement model. TikTok has not only become a hub for viral trends and memes, but even political movements. TikTok has played a significant role in promoting social justice issues, and activism, and raising awareness on various topics, such as the Ukrainian War and the Israel-Hamas War.

Why was TikTok unbanned?

On January 19, 2025, TikTok users were met with a message thanking President Trump for the renewed availability of the app. This message shocked many users as he was the figure spearheading the original legislation regarding the ban. Going back on his original words, Trump issued an executive order on his first day in office that would push back the ban on TikTok for 75 days. He stated that "[he] intends to consult with my advisors, including the heads of relevant departments and agencies on the national security concerns posed by TikTok, and to pursue a resolution that protects national security while saving a platform used by 170 million Americans". It seems that despite his actions five years ago, Trump has had a sudden change of heart, claiming he “got used to it”. 

The beloved app is once again available to users who already had it downloaded, however those who deleted it or did not have it previously downloaded are unable to do so anymore. Additionally, the extension of the ban leaves the platform’s future uncertain. It is unknown whether TikTok will be banned in the future or if the app will face large system changes. It is also unknown whether TikTok’s US operations were sold and, if so, to whom. Users have speculated that the app was sold to a US company, finding the message thanking President Trump suspicious. Some have even noticed differences in TikTok’s feed, seeing much more content promoting republican interests.

While it may have been the world’s shortest ban, TikTok’s removal nonetheless brought to light many issues, including online censorship and reliance on social media. The app’s journey from the threat of a ban to its eventual reprieve highlights the complex intersection of national security, digital freedom, and global connectivity. Although uncertainty surrounding its future remains, TikTok's influence on social media and its user base is undeniable, reshaping how we create, share, and interact online.

Sources:

• Simmerman, A., & Cross, G. (2025, January 31). Why is TikTok not in the app store? Trump’s extension of the ban falls into “gray area.” Austin American-Statesman. https://www.statesman.com/story/news/state/2025/01/31/tiktok-app-store-update-ban-extension-trump-why-when-executive-order-ceo-bought-buy/78060397007/
• Maheshwari, S., & Holpuch, A. (2025, January 17). Why the U.S. is forcing TikTok to be sold or banned. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/article/tiktok-ban.html
• Maheshwari, S., & Holpuch, A. (2025, January 17). Why the U.S. is forcing TikTok to be sold or banned. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/article/tiktok-ban.html