TikTok Returns After Mass Shutdown Throughout the US

TikTok for millions of users here in the United States officially closed access to the app via it's servers yesterday around 10:00 PM CT. It was also removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The app seems to have returned this morning as of 11:41 AM.
What happened?
Early Concerns: Concerns about TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, and its potential ties to the Chinese government, sparked initial worries about data privacy and national security.
Trump's Attempted Ban: In 2020, then-President Trump tried to ban TikTok through executive orders, citing national security concerns. However, these efforts were largely blocked by legal challenges.
The Divest-or-Ban Law: In late 2024, Congress & President Biden passed a law effectively banning TikTok unless ByteDance divested its U.S. operations. This law was upheld by the Supreme Court in early 2025.
Temporary Shutdown: Facing the imminent ban, ByteDance voluntarily shut down TikTok in the U.S. on January 18, 2025, leaving millions of users without access.
Trump's Proposed Solution: President-elect Trump announced his intention to issue an executive order to delay the ban and potentially allow TikTok to operate under a joint venture with the U.S. government holding a 50% ownership stake.
The app has now returned as of 11:41 AM CT and is available to all users. However, the app is still missing from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
No update or response from the CEO of TikTok has mentioned any indication that the platform could return today but President-elect Trump did hint on Truth Social that it could be reinstated as soon as tomorrow and encourages the app to be available even prior to tomorrow. FIND THAT POST HERE

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