'Lasted longer than Selena Gomez's Instagram break': Internet reacts as TikTok gets restored in the US after 14-hour ban
TikTok fans did not have to mourn long in the US as the app was restored after a 14-hour-long ban in the US. The brief ban was implemented over concerns of national security, but thanks to President-elect Donald Trump, it's up and running. Many social media users took a light dig at the brief ban, comparing it to Selena Gomez's Instagram 'breaks.'
TikTok is back up and running in the United States, thanks to President-elect Donald Trump's assurance that service providers won't face any penalties for offering the app. The app was temporarily available due to a law that was set to ban it over national security concerns last spring by President Joe Biden, but Trump's pledge has paved the way for its return. After days of suspense, the brief TikTok ban lasted a mere 14 hours, sparking a flurry of memes on social media, with many joking that it still lasted longer than Selena Gomez's Instagram break.
Internet reacts to TikTok's brief ban in the US
The TikTok ban in the United States may have been short-lived, but it's certainly had a lasting impact on social media. The 14-hour ban has sparked a wave of hilarious reactions on social media, with users poking fun at the brief but dramatic restriction. One popular joke doing the rounds is that the TikTok ban lasted longer than Selena Gomez's Instagram breaks. For those who may not be aware, the singer-actress is notorious for taking 'breaks' from social media, which usually last a few hours.
Drop Pop, a pop culture page on X, reacted to TikTok being restored in the US in just 14 hours, writing, "TikTok was banned for only 14 and a half hours, lasting longer than Selena Gomez¡¯s Instagram breaks."
TikTok was banned for only 14 and a half hours, lasting longer than Selena Gomez¡¯s Instagram breaks. pic.twitter.com/8UQHpiub0k
¡ª Drop Pop (@DropPopNet) January 19, 2025
Reacting to the post, one user wrote, "Y'all did not have to come for her like that," while another added, "Guess TikTok's ban was more permanent than Selena's."
"That's pretty funny! TikTok being banned for just 14 and a half hours is a reminder of how quickly social media platforms can be restricted and then quickly restored. It¡¯s also a playful comparison to Selena Gomez's Instagram breaks, which seem to be a recurring trend. Both incidents show how much attention social media and celebrity actions grab, whether it's a ban or a break!" added a third.
Check out some more reactions to US' TikTok ban below:
Annnnnd TikTok has been restored ?
¡ª Christian Burger (@Cburgsofwa) January 19, 2025
So annoying, but hilariously watching adults literally scream and cry when it was down. ? pic.twitter.com/auWjgfXjqC
TikTok has been restored in USA and TikTok users right now pic.twitter.com/HsBKwo0eCn
¡ª IpostEverything (@Allpostsx) January 19, 2025
POV: TIKTOK IS BANNED VS RESTORED!? #TikTok #trump #banned #reinstated #pov #Skit #comedy #improv #YaBoiKyng #tiktokban #DonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/88v4h6zeOp
¡ª KYNG THE KOMEDIAN (@YaBoiKyng) January 19, 2025
Lmao TikTok is already restored. Please, y¡¯all cried for nothing and made a big thing out of nothing, not realizing that it was a big damn stunt for the orange cheeto. Americans, forever gullible smdh¡ pic.twitter.com/KsKm0f6iA3
¡ª ????? ? Bluesky: Angeliiiiique (@Angeliiiiique) January 19, 2025
Einstein was working hard to restore TikTok and its connection! All connections have been restored!#TikTok #tiktokban #Solana pic.twitter.com/gULJxssbGS
¡ª Einstein Meme Coin (@mymemeidea) January 19, 2025
https://t.co/NlihTPLQdd pic.twitter.com/fiGUigl1Iu
¡ª Pop Base (@PopBase) January 19, 2025
TikTok thanks 'President Trump' for restoring services in the US
The social media application shared a tweet after the brief ban, saying it was in the process of restoring services in the United States and thanked President-elect Donald Trump "for providing necessary clarity and assurance" to their service providers.
"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 face no penalties for providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive," the statement from the company read.
It added, "It¡¯s a strong stand 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."
STATEMENT FROM TIKTOK:
¡ª TikTok Policy (@TikTokPolicy) January 19, 2025
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 face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170¡
TikTok is still banned in India
While TikTok may have restored its services in the US, it's still banned in India. The short video-sharing platform was banned in India on June 29, 2020, due to concerns over national security and data privacy. The Indian government banned 59 Chinese apps, including TikTok, under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, which allows the government to block apps that threaten India's sovereignty, defense, or public order.
As an Entertainment Content Writer with 3+ Years of experience, I have been keeping a keen eye on who wore what. A self confessed Koreaboo, I am your fangirl next door. Ps: I take pride in saying that I grew up watching "It's Controversial" as a kid.
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