Donald Trump gives verdict on TikTok following it’s 12-hour shut down
Donald Trump has issued an update on TikTok following the app's shutdown in the US on Sunday (19 January).
Last week, US users of the social media app said goodbye to TikTok following the government's ban - leading the app to go dark.
If accessed, users would be greeted with a message that read: "Sorry, TikTok isn't available right now.
"A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned."
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The ban initially came about as a result of the government's fear of a 'national security risk' that TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, had alleged links to the Chinese government - which they have both denied.
If TikTok couldn't be bought by a US-approved buyer, then the app would be made unavailable on US phone stores, and soon enough, the date came and went with no intervention.
However, this ban was short-lived as users received a message 12 hours later which said: "Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S."
Prior to this, Trump had expressed his plan to restore the app, saying he would try to find a 'political resolution', according to Sky News, adding that he had a 'warm spot in his heart for TikTok'.
Upon his ascension to The White House, an executive order revealed that Trump was granting TikTok an extension to find a buyer, The Guardian reports, however, it has not officially overturned the ban.
The BBC reports that this rather allows his administration to 'determine the appropriate course of action'.
Speaking during an interview on Fox News with Sean Hannity, the 78-year-old president questioned why China would want to spy on ‘young kids watching crazy videos’.
According to Trump, he believes the app was a key component of his appeal to the youth vote, as he told Hannity: “How about youth? I won youth with 36 points. Maybe that’s because they went on TikTok, I don’t know.”
Hannity interjected: “TikTok is going to be sold, right?”
To which Trump replied: “I think people want to buy it. Those who say they know, say it’s a spying app for the Communist Chinese.” Hannity said, before Trump jumped in to say: “But you could say that about everything made in China.
“We have our telephones made in China, for the most part. We have so many things made in China.
“The interesting thing with TikTok is you’re dealing with a lot of young people. Is it that important for China to be spying on young kids watching crazy videos?”
Hannity replied: “I don’t want China spying on anybody here.”
“But they make your telephones,” Trump said. “And they make your computer, and a lot of other things. Isn’t that a bigger threat?”
Hannity rounded off the discussion by suggesting these topics would come up when Trump met with China’s President, Xi Jinping.
Ben Thompson